The need for all stakeholders to join hands with the National Orientation Agency in the enlightenment of the citizenry on the alarming state of insecurity across the country has been stressed.
State Director, National Orientation Agency, Mrs Grace Ewere Eseka, made this call recently in Benin City during a state wide campaign against insecurity, Political Thuggery,Kidnapping and Drug addiction.
She noted that NOA has taken a pro-active course of action by bringing all relevant stakeholders together to proffer lasting solutions to the menace .
Issues relating to youths’ restiveness, crimes and criminality, according to the NOA Edo Boss, are critical for the development and growth of the country, while observing that majority of perpetrators of thuggery and drug addiction, are the youths.
Mrs Eseka however advised the political class to engage the youths in positive ventures especially as the 2019 elections draw near.
In his address, Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Babatunde Kokumo, highlighted some of the causes of political thuggery, kidnapping and drug addiction to include, illiteracy, greed, lack of employment, political rivalry, corruption and poverty as being majorly responsible for these hydra-headed crimes.
He however expressed hope that despite the prevalence of these crimes, the current awareness and resentment of majority of perpetrators is quite encouraging, while expressing joy over reports from members of the public who have been exposing offenders thereby, making the job of the police and other security agencies easier.
The Police Commissioner also noted that Human Trafficking, Cultism and other related crimes must receive similar attention, assuring that the force is gearing up for the forth –coming general elections in the area of training and equipment of personnel.
On his part, the Assistant Commander, Administration and Logistics of NDLEA, Edo State Mr. Usman Suleiman said internal attacks on fellow Nigerian by Armed robbers, kidnappers, ritualists, Fulani herdsmen, Boko haram and cultists, is traceable to the use of hard drugs of various categories, thereby, making such disheartening attacks a recurring decimal.
Mr Suleiman opined that all crimes are usually perpetuated under the influence of drugs, noting that it is difficult to find a sane human being guilty of such offences.
The NDLEA Boss further explained that some of the drugs produced for treatment of various illnesses, are presently being abused by the youths, having discovered the intoxicating effect of such drugs when taken excessively.
He advised parents to be vigilant and watch out for any kind of abnormality in their children’s behavior, as early detection could help save them from possible insanity or criminality.
The State wide security awareness programme which held at the NOA premises on Boundary Road, Benin City, was also replicated in various local government areas across the three Senatorial Districts of Edo State.