By Fatima Zahra Muhammad
ASHENEWS reports that the chairman of the Chanchaga local government area in Niger state, Aminu Ladan has honoured the invitation by the state command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in relation to a viral video in which he was heard encouraging the youth to take drugs.
This online platform earlier reported that the NDLEA had invited Ladan over his utterances in the video, which the agency said is capable of undermining its efforts at tackling drug abuse in the state.
Honouring the invitation in less than 12 hours after his summoning, Ladan told the NDLEA Commander, Haruna Kwetishe that he was quoted out of context.
He however undertook to personally sensitise the youth on the dangers of drug abuse.
“My statement was quoted out of context. I want to call for calm. I have debunked it and the full video is now in circulation. You can go through the video to know whether that was what I said.
“I have also sought the consent of the NDLEA to partner in sensitizing young people on drug abuse. The program, which will come up soon will tell the people that we are not encouraging drug abuse,” he told journalists shortly after the meeting on Thursday.
Ladan, who said that he regretted his utterances, added that he has involved security agencies to fish out those who sent out the misleading video.
“We have already engaged the concerned authorities to fish out whoever did this so that the authority will take the necessary action.
“I feel remorse about the statement because what I meant was given a different meaning,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA Commander advised the council chairman to be more careful in his utterances as a public figure, even although the viral video was manipulated.
“The person who sent the viral video cut off some portion of his speech and brought out a specific section maybe because they wanted to achieve a goal.
“But we want to advise, we that are in leadership position should not talk anyhow because whatever we say can be quoted out of context and before you know, they will bring out only the portion that indicts you, and you are left with the burden of trying to dispel the rumor,” he said.
