The Niger State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has declared a war on illicit drug dealers in the state, with a warning that they relocate or face the full wrath of the law.

The governor made the declaration over the weekend on a visit to Sarkin Pawa, Munya local government area following reports of increasing wave of drug – related youth violence in the area.

“Reports reaching me and the terrible experience I had with some of these youth, most of whom are operating under the influence of drug call for urgent and decisive attention,” Bello said.

“We are declaring total war against drug dealers and peddlers in the state. They are agents of destruction. We don’t want them and they are not allowed in Niger State. I am by this giving them quit notice from the state. Failure to pack out of the state, they should be ready to face the full wrought of the law,” he further declared.

Governor Bello appealed to communities to be involved in the drive against drug abuse by his administration, asking members of the public “to fish out and expose those selling drugs to our youth. You know those dealers and peddlers.”

“You know the chemist and pharmacy where these drugs are being sold; you have to expose them and leave government to handle them. We can no longer tolerate these agents of death in our state,” he stated.

He, however, noted that most of those involved in the illicit drug trade are not from the state, adding that that is why he has asked them to relocate of face total war from his administration.

He directed that a channel of communication be opened for members of the public to provide information on drug dealers to his office.

The governor ordered security agencies and other relevant bodies saddled with responsibility of drug control to clamp down on any drug dealer or peddler in the state, while also appealing to politicians who engage youth in acts of violence to desist, vowing to deal with any one of caught by the authorities.

“Let me equally warn our politicians to stop using our youth for thuggery and other violent acts. Most of these young lads operate under the influence of drug. The sad thing is that these lads are used and dumped by our politician.

“We have to curb and totally stop this trend. These youth are our tomorrow. We cannot afford to toy with their future and by extension our future too,” governor Bello stated.