By Musa Kutama
Harmonious relationships and peaceful coexistence among communities in Boki, Chairman of Boki Local Council in Cross River State, Hon. Beatrice Etta Nyiam has emphasized and called for partnership among communities to fight drug-related social problems in Boki.
She made this call at Kachuan Irruan, in a-peace-building engagement meeting with Stakeholders of Buda Ward.
She noted that, even where boundary disputes have long strained relationship among communities in Boki, Buda Ward stands out as a beacon of peace and resilience.
“I am happy that the people of Buda have lived harmoniously for years, resolving differences in commending ways that have always avoided the conflicts that plague other communities and neighbouring areas,” she said.
Charging community leaders to ensure that people engaging in illicit drug abuse are reported and arrested by the Law Enforcement authorities, the chairman assured them that government would open partnerships access with the communities with regards to finding long-term solutions to drug abuse.
She therefore, charged them to leave no stone unturned in this fight, stressing that offenders must be made to face the wrath of the law, irrespective of gender and age.
Also speaking, Vice Chairman of the Council, Hon. Lawrence Obi Akan, noted that illicit drug use has also been encouraged in Boki by people who are landlords to the drug peddlers and as such, all hands must be on deck in the fight to curb the menace.
In his contribution, retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police and Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Mr. John Abang, said, “tihe fight against illicit drug abuse cannot be won by security agencies alone, communities must take ownership, guiding their youth while working with the security personnel to building a safer and more resilient society”.
The Divisional Police Officer of Boki, Oden Arikpo, reinforced the message of cooperation between the communities and the Police, stating, stating that “the Police is always ready to work with the people but with community vigilance and early intervention, we can stop this menace before it destroys more lives”.
Earlier, Comd. Osang Abua Peter, Commander, 30-Member Vigilante, informed the chairman and the Security Team on the increasing rate of hard drugs in the communities, which he described as the most pressing concern in Buda and pleaded for urgent intervention from government.
Present during the peace-building engagement meeting were officials of the Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, SA to the Chairman on Peace and Security, Media, Clan Heads, Youth, Community Chairmen and Women Leaders.
