Nteje Community Abolishes Sales, Use of Hard Drug, Gives Dealers 14 Days to Relocate

Members of Nteje community in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State have bemoaned the rise in the use of hard drugs by youths, saying it is the cause of crime in the area.

The community abolished the sale of hard drugs, while giving its dealers 14 to relocate out of the community.

The president general of the community, Mr Chidiebele Obika who briefed journalists on Thursday, after a meeting of Nteje Development Union (NDU), an umbrella organisation for members of the community said there have been a rise in sundry crimes caused by use of hard drugs.

“NDU has looked into the rise in petty crimes in the community and concluded that it is fuelled by sales and use of hard drugs in Nteje.

“Crimes like stealing, armed robbery, rape are the cause of use of hard drugs by our youths. You will agree with us that the petty thief of today can graduate into a hardened criminal tomorrow.

“That is why we have decided that from today onward, every person in this community who sells cocaine or methamphetamine, which is popularly called mkpurumiri, has 14 days, that is two weeks to prepare and leave the community.”

Obika said on the expiration of the two weeks grace, the community’s taskforce will comb the villages and fish out any one who sells hard drug for appropriate sanction.

Some members of the community who spoke during the meeting decried the rise in cases of rape, attributing it to use of hard drug by most youths.

Obika added that: “You know that many productive youths tend to become useless because of the consumption of hard drugs, even those who should either be in school of in business simply abandon them once they become hooked on drug.

“We want to begin early to salvage our youths. That is why we are saying that sales of hard drug in Nteje land has been abolished from today. Dealers have two weeks to relocate out of the community or face trouble.”