A major drug crisis has hit Akparabong community in Ikom local government area of Cross River State, forcing hundreds of women basically mothers to take to the streets to demand urgent intervention from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. The women, who said they could no longer keep mute, fold their arms and watch their children being destroyed, marched peacefully through the community with tree branches in their hands, accusing drug peddlers of openly selling hard drugs like Colos, Skunk, Ice popularly known as Aya, and marijuana to their sons and other youths. According to the aggrieved mothers, the drug crisis has reached an alarming level, with many young men in the community now “half mentally” deranged, violent and unproductive after consuming the illicit substances. One of the protesters, Mrs. Cecilia Ogar, lamented, “Our sons smoke these things and they start behaving like mad people. They no longer respect elders, they steal and fight. The drugs are killing them slowly.” Another woman leader, Jessica Ochaji Odu who interacted with LEADERSHIP, said the community has been overwhelmed and can no longer handle the situation alone. “We have tried our best as mothers to talk to them, but the sellers are still bringing these drugs from outside. That is why we are calling on NDLEA to come and save our community,” she said. The protesting mothers demanded that the NDLEA should immediately raid Akparabong, arrest all those involved in the sale of hard drugs, and set up surveillance to prevent further circulation of the illicit substances in the area. They vowed to continue to mount pressure until the drug dealers are flushed out, insisting that “We will not allow our community to be turned into a saved heaven for hard drug consumers and peddlers. “We want NDLEA to come now and help us rescue our children and our future.” The aggrieved mothers appealed. Reacting to the protest, during a telephone conversation,Cross River State Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) John Anteyi, expressed Joy over the development saying that the command is ready to work with any community in the state that initiate a fight against drug addiction and peddling. “Our doors are open to the community women to partner with us in the fight against this social vice. We are in love with the action of these women.” He maintained.
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