In a decisive move to combat the escalating scourge of drug abuse and its far-reaching implications on road safety, the Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, Archie-Abia Ibinabo, who oversees the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, Lagos, at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), today paid an official visit to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos.
During the high-level engagement, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, was conferred with the prestigious ‘WADA ADVOCACY’ recognition by the NDLEA in acknowledgment of the Agency’s unwavering commitment to drug abuse prevention and public safety.
Reaffirming LASTMA’s readiness to forge a formidable partnership with the NDLEA, Mr. Bakare-Oki decried the alarming prevalence of illicit drug consumption, particularly among the youth, and underscored its direct correlation to the rising incidence of road traffic crashes. He emphasized that reckless driving, often fueled by excessive drug intake, has become a major threat to road safety and public well-being.
Furthermore, the LASTMA General Manager exposed the sophisticated methods employed by drug cartels to facilitate the clandestine transportation of narcotics.
He revealed that illicit substances are frequently trafficked through unconventional channels such as dispatch motorcycles, ambulances, and other seemingly innocuous vehicles.
Stressing the urgency of a synergized response, Mr. Bakare-Oki posited that an intensified crackdown on drug abuse would serve as a linchpin in addressing a myriad of societal challenges affecting the youth, thereby fostering a more secure and orderly environment.
In her remarks, Assistant Commander General of Narcotics Archie-Abia Ibinabo reaffirmed that the NDLEA’s visit was a pivotal component of its ongoing sensitization and enlightenment campaign.
She highlighted the indispensability of multi-agency collaboration in the war against drug abuse, particularly with LASTMA, whose jurisdiction over traffic control positions it as a crucial stakeholder in intercepting illicit drug movements.
She further articulated that narcotics are predominantly transported via road networks, thereby necessitating proactive intelligence-sharing between LASTMA operatives and the NDLEA.
She urged LASTMA officers to remain vigilant and promptly relay pertinent information whenever they encounter suspicious activities linked to drug trafficking during their enforcement duties.
According to her, “Many of our youths are currently in rehabilitation centers across the country due to drug addiction. The only way to curb this menace is through a concerted, all-hands-on-deck approach.”
This strategic engagement reaffirmed the commitment of both Agencies to a fortified partnership aimed at dismantling drug networks, mitigating the ramifications of substance abuse, and enhancing overall public safety through robust enforcement mechanisms and intelligence-driven interventions.
Adebayo Taofiq
Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA