September 10, (THEWILL) – A suspected Indian hemp dealer, Monday Awo, has been paraded by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ebonyi, at its headquarters, in Abakaliki.
Dr Elijah Willie, the State Commandant of the corps, who paraded the suspect alongside five other suspected electricity cable vandals, said the worth of the substance recovered from Awo was N200,000.
Willie said Awo, who hails from Ezza North Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi, was arrested by the command’s Rapid Response Squad on September 3, at the Nkaliki area of Abakaliki.
“The suspect was arrested with 41 pieces of ‘Rizzler’ (paper used to wrap the substance).
“Investigation into the matter is ongoing and when completed, the suspect would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The state commandant said the suspect was arrested based on complaints by the area’s market union, of sabotage and not paying due levies to the union.
“The process of his arrest led to the discovery of the hard drug.
“Four out of the five suspected electrical cable vandals were arrested at a mining site in Izzi LGA of the state on August 27.
“The suspects include Lawrence Kelechi, Uchenna Ogbaga, Chikwado Nwigwe and Nwaekuma Alo.
“They conspired and stole four drilling rods belonging to Afrimetal Trading Nigeria Limited valued at N720,000.
He noted that another suspected electricity cable vandal, Tochukwu Elom was arrested inside the official lodge of Ezza South LGA chairman.
“He was arrested for vandalising copper thunder protection cables with the connivance of another suspect who is currently on the run.
“They have been vandalising properties of the council which include electric wires, air conditioners, fans, and aluminium window gadgets, among others.
He noted that the suspect had made useful confessional statements as efforts were on gear to arrest his fleeing accomplice.
Awo, in an interview, confessed to being a dealer of the substance, noting that he indulged in it to enjoy good but does not allow his children to touch, not to talk of selling it.
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
