Fashola made the remarks when Chairman National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Alhaji Ahmadu Giade paid him a courtesy call in Lagos to receive a donation of two Toyota trucks by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. “I believe that it takes some degree of abnormality for anybody to go out and take human life. Those who have done it do it under the influence of drugs”, the governor said adding that small arms flourish where the trade in illegal drugs follow.
The governor charged the agency to campaign for stiffer penalty for those who engage in drug trafficking, noting that the international community must focus attention on proliferation of small arms, warning that it portends more danger than the threat of nuclear war.
According to him, small arms have claimed more lives than even nerve gas. While hammering on the importance of the NDLEA, the governor noted that any security agency that wants to succeed when it comes to tackling crime must partner with the agency.
Fashola said he opted to donate the trucks as a way of supporting the agency in overcoming the problem of logistics, stressing that bulk of funds should come from the Federal Government being a federal agency. While charging the NDLEA to make good use of the vehicles, the governor said that they will receive more support if their operation to rid the state of illegal drugs and drug trafficking is successful.
Speaking during the ceremony Giade said his agency has recorded a lot of success in the state, stressing that his effort led to removal of Nigeria from the list of countries noted for drug trafficking. He said that drug traffickers have relocated from Lagos to other states, noting that Kano State currently tops the list of drug- trafficking states in Nigeria.
