Hundreds of women in Akparabong community, Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, have staged a peaceful protest over the growing sale and abuse of hard drugs in their community.
The women, mostly mothers, marched through the streets carrying tree branches as they called on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to urgently move into the community and arrest those selling illegal drugs.
The protesters said drug dealers are openly selling substances such as skunk, marijuana, "Ice" (locally called Aya), and other dangerous drugs to young people. According to them, many youths have become violent, mentally unstable, disrespectful to elders, and are no longer productive because of drug addiction.
One of the protesters, Mrs. Cecilia Ogar, said many parents are watching their children waste away because of drugs. She lamented that some of the affected youths now steal, fight, and behave irrationally after taking the substances.
Another community leader, Jessica Ochaji Odu, said mothers have tried to counsel the young people without success because drug dealers continue bringing the substances into the community. She appealed to the NDLEA to intervene before the situation gets worse.
The women demanded an immediate raid on Akparabong, the arrest of suspected drug peddlers, and regular surveillance to stop the circulation of illicit drugs. They vowed to continue speaking out until the community is freed from the activities of drug dealers.
Reacting to the protest, Cross River State NDLEA Commander, John Anteyi, welcomed the action taken by the women. He said the agency is ready to partner with communities that are determined to fight drug abuse and drug trafficking, adding that public support is important in winning the battle against illegal drugs.
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