From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have agreed to collaborate to build more rehabilitation centres in the country.
A statement signed on Friday by Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, the Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa assured of the commission’s readiness to work with the NDLEA during a courtesy visit on Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, Chairman of the NDLEA in his office in Abuja.
She said some Nigerians in the Diaspora have shown interest in building rehabilitation centres across the country and offer free counselling services, following the reported high rate of drug abuse in the country, regretting however that their major challenge was non availability of land.
The NIDCOM boss explained that the visit to NDLEA has become expedient against the backdrop of the Zainab Aliyu’s case of May 14, 2019 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Aliyu was allegedly accused of drug trafficking and was consequently sentenced to death but through the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari, facilitated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NIDCOM, she was set free with Ibrahim Ibrahim.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that judgment on the matter is yet to be given, giving room for those culpable to walk about freely without led or hindrance.
“The culprits have been apprehended, but they are walking about freely. It’s been two years and nothing has been done.”
Aliyu, who was present with her sister during the visit, appreciated the intervention of President Buhari in her case while also pleading for justice.
She said: “My case has been in court for over two years and some months now. All I want is justice for me and other victims like me.”
The Chairman, NDLEA, Marwa who commended NiDCOM for its excellent public image and accomplishments within a short period, revealed his interest in the case and assured that his office will not relent until justice is served.
Marwa gave assurances that the airports are now more strict and efforts have been intensified to safeguard innocent citizens and reduce drug related incidence at the airports.