An attempt by drug barons to introduce once again the cultivation of cannabis sativa in an interior forest of Taraba State has been repelled by the officers and men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
The operation was carried out in Januwa Ngida Forest, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, according to the Command’s NDLEA spokesman, Peter Archibong.
Archibong said it is on record that the Command had always been on the alert in checking such nefarious activities.
A statement by the NDLEA on Saturday said the operation, which may be regarded as unprecedented in the State and under the personal supervision of the State Commander, Ishiaku Kwajafa, took the officers 18 hours of trekking through the forest.
Archibong said acting on superior Intelligence and professionalism, the officers were able to dislodge the suspects from the plantation, but not without intense resistance that characterizes such dangerous operations.
However, no arrest was made as the suspects, assisted by local knowledge, abandoned the farms and melted into the thick forest.
On why officers of the Command undertook such life threatening navigation of unfamiliar terrain in the face of prevailing security situation, Kwajafa dismissed such threats as imaginary and empty.
He said: “There is no way the law will take to its heels for law breakers to have its way.
“My officers are more professional to buy into such dummy.
“We will defy any obstacle, real or imaginary, as long as the security of this Nation is threatened.”
The Commander declined to give the monetary value of the destroyed farmland.
According to him: “Public knowledge of the expected proceeds of the venture will be disadvantageous to effective execution of our duty, since others may be induced without thinking that the risk associated with this venture outweighs the mirage of gains.”
Kwajafa warned that those who may wish to follow the bad examples of those who were lucky to escape through the forest may not be that lucky.
The Command is confronted with so many problems that poses hindrances to the effective policing of the vast and difficult terrains of the State, among which are operational vehicles for at least one each in the five Area Commands in the State and office accommodation, Archibong said.
The statement further enjoined stakeholders to collaborate with the Command to carry out effective public enlightenment in the State to get the people properly informed on the negative effects of drug cultivation, dealing and abuse.
The statement appreciated the effort of the Police in the operations of the NDLEA in the State.
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