The Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr Manassah Jatau, on Tuesday received the newly posted Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr Mathew Tsamiya, in his office, assuring him of the state government’s full support in the fight against drug abuse.
This was contained in a press statement signed by Jack Tasha, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, (Deputy Governor’s Office).
Jatau emphasised that most vices in society are drug-induced, “I advocate for compulsory drug testing for politicians and civil servants before employment or election”, citing the alarming rise in crime and related activities.
He highlighted the strategic importance of Gombe State as a central hub in the northeast, noting that many goods and activities in the region pass through the state. Given this, he described the NDLEA’s task in Gombe as enormous.
The Deputy Governor urged the new Commander to liaise closely with police and other security agencies to ensure effective coordination. He also stressed the importance of engaging parents and traditional rulers to gather intelligence on drug traffickers and their networks.
“If only drugs are taken out of our society, most crimes would be minimised. Drug abuse is the root cause of many criminal activities, and we must tackle it decisively,” he stated.
Jatau further encouraged the Commander to adopt a model similar to that of the EFCC by conducting drug tests during recruitment exercises. He also called for strict monitoring of drug movements and decisive action against the activities of the “Kalare boys,” who have posed a significant security threat in the state.
In his response, Commander Tsamiya expressed gratitude for the warm reception and the continued support from the state government, particularly the provision of vehicles to enhance the agency’s operations.
He assured the Deputy Governor of his commitment to upholding the integrity of both the NDLEA and Gombe State during his tenure, noting that he is a native of Billiri Local Government Area and intends to give his best before retiring in June.
