By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the state government will continue to support all security agencies in the state to ensure that they are better equipped to fight crime.
A statement signed by his Special Assistant Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, informed that he expressed this while speaking when he granted audience to the Rivers State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday.
Governor Wike said that the protection of lives and property remains key to his administration.
The governor regretted that the rampant use of illicit drugs by youths is one of the driving forces of crime and criminality in the state.
He said: “Drug addiction is a huge challenge. The influence of drugs in the level of crime in the society cannot be over-emphasized. We shall support the NDLEA to deal with the situation “.
He described the operational situation of NDLEA as pathetic, noting that the absence of operational vehicles and a functional rehabilitation centre is a sad development.
Governor Wike announced that the State Government will help the NDLEA set up a rehabilitation centre in addition to presenting some operational vehicles.
Earlier, the Rivers State Commander of the NDLEA, Ambassador Rachel Shelleng said that despite the challenges being faced by the Agency, it has succeeded in fighting drug usage and addiction in the state.
She said in the course of the last one year, the NDLEA has arrested drug peddlers, drug offenders and rehabilitated persons dependent on drugs.
The Rivers State Commander of the NDLEA appealed to the State Governor to support the command with operational vehicles. She also called on the governor to support NDLEA in constructing a standard rehabilitation centre.
