The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig-Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa called on families traditional, religious , community leaders to join hands with the Federal Government to tackle the menace of substance abuse, cultism and banditry among the youths in the country
Marwa made the call on Saturday in Ijebu – Ode, Ogun State while delivering a paper at a seminar organised by the Ijebu – Ode Council of Olorituns.
Marwa, while delivering the paper titled “Dangers of drug abuse, cultism and banditry among youths”, said collective responsibility must be embraced by all stakeholders to curb the menace of the inter-linked social vices of illicit drugs, cultism and banditry.
According to the NDLEA boss, the triple threat of cult-related violence, rampant abuse of drugs and illicit substances, and the challenge of banditry across various regions, is a reality that must be dealt with decisively.
He explained that : “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.”
Marwa further stated that : “It is projected that the number of people using drugs will increase by 40% in Africa.
“When they say Africa, I want us to think of Nigeria, because Nigeria has one of the highest drug use prevalences in the world.”
He, however, said that in spite of the projection by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), all hope is not lost.
“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,” Marwa stated.
Dwelling 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 sensitization and rehabilitation initiatives.
“We have within the same period conducted 11,584 sanitization 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 psycho social support services provided on our toll free helpline: 080010203040.”
While challenging other stakeholders to rise up to the challenge, the NDLEA Chairman said : “we cannot do it alone.
“We need communities like Ijebu-Ode to partner with us, to speak up, to report suspicious activities and to 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.”
He commended the Council of Olorituns for organizing 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, Chairman of the Council, Chief Adebisi Adeola Alausa commended NDLEA boss for accepting the Council’s invitation.
“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,” he said.
Chairman of the occasion, Senator Lekan Mustapha described Marwa as a visionary and distinguished leader.
He said his outstanding performances and track records as military Governor of Borno and Lagos States as well as his transformation of NDLEA into reckoning both locally and internationally speak volumes of his personality.
“That you honoured our invitation shows your passion for the job, the safety and protection of our youths from drug and other vices, ” he added.
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.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
