Youths New Drugs Discovery

GOMBE YOUTHS DRINK LIZARD EXCRETA AS INTOXICANT


LIZARD dropping has become the major intoxicant in Gombe as a sizeable number of youths in the state now depend on it for stimulation, investigation has shown.


Investigations revealed that the droppings have since taken over from Indian hemp and other drugs as the major stimulant in the state.


Youths, according to the investigation, take the droppings because of its potency as a strong intoxicant.



Newsmen also observed that the development had raised the value of the droppings, as it was no longer easy to find.


A user who spoke to on condition of anonymity, revealed that they usually assigned younger children to scout for the droppings after enticing them with token amounts.


‘’We just give them N5 or N10 to buy sweet or biscuit and they comb the nooks and crannies of the streets for the excreta,’’ he told newsmen after a monetary bargain.


Some youths arrested by the police for engaging in violence three weeks ago confirmed the shift from Indian hemp to lizard droppings.


Mr Hosea Karma, Deputy Commissioner of Police in Gombe, told newsmen that the youths had confessed to using the droppings to intoxicate them before engaging in their nefarious activities.


‘’When asked what they normally take before engaging in violence, some of them revealed that Indian hemp was no longer potent, and that lizard dropping was stronger,’’ he said.


‘’There is the need for parents to really wake up to their responsibilities of proper up-bringing of their children, to make it easy for the authorities to complement their efforts,’’ Karma advised.


On his part, Mr. Ishaku Iliya, Commander of NDLEA in Gombe, told newsmen that his men were yet to come across such practice in the state.


Asked to confirm the potency of the lizard excreta as an intoxicant, the commander said the white portion of the droppings was a killer drug.


‘’The white portion is rich in ammonia which intoxicates and it is the one they go for. They soak and drink it or sometimes mix it with Indian hemp for enhanced effect,’’ he revealed.

Private TV Alleges Threat to Operations

Galaxy Television alleges harassment


The management of Galaxy Television has raised alarm over threat to the life of its staff by agents of Ogun State Government, saying it would ensure that such threats coming from "a source with a historical reputation for violence" are investigated.

A statement by its President, Mr. Steve Ojo, said since the station commenced a five-part report on the state of insecurity in Ogun State, abuse of power and collapse of legislation on April 6, 2008 the station`s personnel had been subjected to undue harassment.

While the residence of its correspondent in Ogun State was burgled, a member of the State House of Assembly, one Hon. Amusan on April 11,threatened the lives of guests and a presenter on its weekly programme, Editors` Forum.

"Galaxy Television insists that threats to the life of its staff or guests will not be taken lightly," he said.

Galaxy Television is privately-owned and operates from Ibadan Oyo State and Lagos in South-West, Nigeria.