The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) projects that the number of people using drugs in Africa will increase by 40% by 2030, according to retired Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Marwa, Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Marwa noted that because Nigeria has one of the highest rates of drug use in the world, Nigerians must recognize their role in this issue.
In a statement released on Saturday, August 9, through the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, Marwa said that despite the grim projection, “all hope is not lost.”
Speaking at a seminar titled “Dangers of Drug Abuse, Cultism and Banditry among Youths” in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Marwa called for a collective effort from all stakeholders to address the intertwined social issues of illicit drugs, cultism, and banditry.
He described this “triple threat” as a reality that must be dealt with decisively.
The statement said: “While these issues may appear distinct, they are intricately connected, feeding one another in a cycle of destruction that must be broken if our society is to thrive.
“Cultism, once largely confined to tertiary institutions, has insidiously spread into secondary schools and neighbourhoods. What began as secret gatherings has transformed into violent confraternities, often manipulated by political or criminal interests.
“These groups lure young people, often under the guise of brotherhood, protection or empowerment, into a world of fear, violence and premature death. Tragically, the hands of many of our youth have been stained with the blood of their peers, all for false promises of belonging and power.
“As a nation and as communities, we still possess the power to reverse this trend.
“The first step is collective responsibility. Parents, religious institutions, traditional rulers, educational authorities and community leaders must rise with one voice against these vices. The family unit must be strengthened as the first point of moral instruction, while schools should be safe spaces that promote discipline, mentorship and awareness.
“We must also invest in youth development by creating opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and sports. Idle hands, as we know, are the devil’s workshop. When our young people find purpose and meaning, they are less likely to seek false validation from cults or drugs.”
Elaborating on how the NDLEA is responding to the challenge, Marwa said, “We have intensified our war against drug trafficking and abuse. Nationwide raids have led to significant seizures and arrests, which we share weekly on our official channels.
“In the past 54 months, we have arrested 67, 345 traffickers, including 95 barons, and 12, 415 of them are presently serving various jail terms.
“The barons we have arrested are not anonymous people in society. They include big business people and socialites—some of them have chieftaincy titles—and also government officials, including those tasked with maintaining law and order. That tells how deeply the rot had eaten into the fabric of our society.
“Within the period, we have seized more than 11.2 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and destroyed 1,572 hectares of cannabis farms mostly in Southwest States where some people are cultivating cannabis on a large scale, utilising land that should have been used for other cash crops for illicit crops.
“We are also scaling up our Drug Demand Reduction programmes, including school outreaches, community sensitisation and rehabilitation initiatives.
“We have within the same period conducted 11,584 sensitisation lectures in schools, work places, worship centres, motor parks, palaces of traditional rulers and communities, while 27, 187 drug users have been treated and rehabilitated through our 30 rehab facilities across the country in addition to thousands of others who have benefitted from the psychosocial support services provided on our toll free helpline: 080010203040.”
Challenging other stakeholders, he said, “We cannot do it alone. We need communities like Ijebu-Ode to partner with us, speak up, report suspicious activities, and support our advocacy drives.
“Moreover, security architecture must be enhanced at the grassroots level. Local vigilante groups, properly trained and coordinated, can serve as the eyes and ears of the community, working closely with law enforcement agencies to disrupt cult gatherings and prevent violent incidents.
“We must rekindle the moral and spiritual fabric of our society. We must remind our youth that there is dignity in labour, pride in learning and honour in integrity. The path to greatness is not paved with shortcuts of violence and drugs, but with hard work, vision and purpose.”
Marwa commended the Council of Oloritun for organising the seminar and the choice of the theme.
“Your commitment to community and youth development is clear, and I encourage other councils across Nigeria to emulate this initiative. Let us rise as one people to rescue our children, secure our streets and restore the values that once defined our land”, he added.
In his welcome address, the Council Chairman, Chief Adebisi Adeola Alausa, commended Marwa for accepting the Council’s invitation.
He said: “Your presence today reflects our shared commitment to safeguarding the future of our community and our nation.
“We are gathered here not merely as individuals, but as a united front, as traditional leaders, government officials, parents, educators, and most importantly, our youths, to confront challenges that threaten the very fabric of our society.
“The issues we address today, the drug abuse, cultism, and banditry, are not distant problems”
The Chairman of the occasion, Sen. Lekan Mustapha, described Marwa as a visionary leader, citing his past records of performance as military governor of Borno and Lagos, as well as his transformation of the NDLEA into a force to be reckoned with both locally and internationally.
He said: “That you honoured our invitation shows your passion for the job, the safety and protection of our youths from drug and other vices.”
Marwa seized the opportunity of his presence in Ijebu Ode to pay a condolence visit to the family of the late Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
Leave a comment