Politics
PROMINENT civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), on Saturday, urged millions of youths all over the country to support the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s fight against hard drugs, adding that the anti-narcotics agency led by Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), for now is not part of the old order but is professional and focused on preserving the sanctity of the youths to take up leadership positions at all levels in Nigeria.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement said contrary to rumours and false reports being peddled around, the NDLEA sought a Certificate of Destruction from a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to destroy by burning in a public place 1,828 slabs of compressed cocaine amounting to 2,112.05 kilogrammes out of the total of 1,852 slabs of compressed cocaine amounting to 2,139.55 kilogrammes seized by the NDLEA on September 18, 2022 at Ikorodu, Lagos State, while leaving 24 slabs of compressed cocaine amounting to 27.5 kilogrammes for purpose of prosecution of the case.
The group said it was privy to the Certificate of Destruction obtained by the NDLEA from the court before it destroyed a portion of the seized hard drugs while the other portion was kept as exhibit for prosecution of the suspects arrested in connection with the seized contrabands.
Commenting, HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “Most Nigerians especially youths both on social media and outside the social media are raising doubts, scepticism and outright repudiation of the burning of the exhibit cocaine haul seized from the international barons captured about a week ago Ikorodu, Lagos.
“HURIWA states unequivocally that what was burnt by the NDLEA was cocaine and not sawdust or something else. Also, claims that the real cocaine may have been diverted into the market for resell by some NDLEA officials is TOTALLY FALSE.
“The Certificate of Destruction obtained by the NDLEA clears the doubts that indeed what was burnt was the confuscated hard drugs and that the court of law is in the know meaning that the prosecution of the accused won’t be undermined for lack of exhibit.
“Also, the suspects were around to identify their contraband before it was burnt by NDLEA. Moreso, international organisations, local experts, and diplomats were on standby during the exercise and can testify.
“Nigerian youths have nothing to worry about; they are encouraged to have hope that Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) to the best knowledge is not part of the old order of corrupt government officials. So far since he assumed office in January 2021, the former military administrator of Lagos State has demonstrated a high level of political will and professionalism to carry out his task and this sincerity of purpose is not a fluke but a reality up until this moment.
“Nigerians should therefore give the Marwa-led NDLEA benefits of the doubts and support the fight against hard drugs which basically is meant to preserve the sanctity of the youths to take up leadership positions of all levels in Nigeria and not to be exposed to drugs and be ruined.”
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Tags: Emmanuel Onwubiko Gen. Buba Marwa HURIWA
