Indigenous 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 has now given illicit drug peddlers 14 days to leave the community.
The president general of the community, Mr Chidiebele Obika who briefed journalists on Thursday, after a meeting of the Nteje Development Union (NDU), said there has been a rise in sundry crimes caused by the use of hard drugs.
“NDU has looked into the rise in petty crimes in the community and concluded that it is fuelled by the sale and use of hard drugs in Nteje.
“Crimes like stealing, armed robbery and rape are caused by the 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 task force will comb the villages and fish out anyone found selling hard drugs for appropriate sanction.
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 or in business simply abandon them once they become hooked on drugs.
“We want to begin early to salvage our youths. That is why we are saying that sales of hard drugs in Nteje land have been abolished from today. Dealers have two weeks to relocate out of the community or face trouble.”