Famous Nigerian singer, 2Baba urges NDLEA to step up war against drug abuse

by Tosin Deba

As the nation prepares for the upcoming elections, Innocent Idibia, widely known as 2Baba, has urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to step up its fight against drug abuse to make the election drug-free.

2Baba spoke on Thursday in Abuja when led representatives of the 2Baba Foundation and a group from the National Democratic Institute (NDI) on a courtesy visit to retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, the Chairman of NDLEA.

He said the country must be free of drugs before, during, and after the elections, pointing out that drugs had continued to be a significant cause of electoral violence.

2Baba, who is also the President of the foundation, said the meeting was part of his foundation’s efforts at promoting the “Vote Not Fight; Election No be War” campaign.

“The primary target of the campaign is the youth and the political class are majorly the sponsor of this violence. We noticed that over the years, when we hear so many reports of violence and one of the major triggers of this violence is drugs.

“That is one of the reason why we have come to solicit your support by giving directives to all your command in the 36 states and FCT to step up.

“Though, we must commend the agency for the work they have been doing so far in apprehending and deterring people from marketing and using of drugs.

“We want to give you kudos for that but we want you to step it up, especially as the election is around the corner. We are also willing and ready to work with you to spread the campaign,” 2Baba said.

Marwa, represented by Mr Shadrach Haruna, the Secretary of the agency, said the agency was working effectively to take away drugs from the streets and reduce its supply and consumption in the country.

“This campaign being led by your team will get a lot of attraction and it will also help us in the work we are doing.

“This is because we need people like you who are influencers to speak with the young ones,” he said.