FEATURES
Drug Abuse Driving Kidnapping, Insecurity, Social Decay — Muhammad Bande
Former President of the United Nations General Assembly, Ambassador Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, has urged the Federal Government to increase funding for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security agencies, warning that drug abuse is fuelling insecurity, kidnapping, banditry and social decline across Nigeria.
Muhammad-Bande, who is also Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations and the District Head of Besse in Kebbi State, made the call during a one-day brainstorming session on drug abuse organised by the Sokoto Advancement Forum (SAF) in collaboration with the Centre for Peace Studies, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
He described illicit drug abuse as a growing threat to national security, economic development and social stability, stressing that agencies responsible for combating drug trafficking require improved funding, modern equipment, operational logistics and better welfare packages to effectively discharge their responsibilities.
According to him, the NDLEA and other security agencies have continued to demonstrate professionalism despite operating under challenging conditions.
He called on the government to provide continuous training, modern infrastructure and adequate operational support to enable security agencies respond effectively to evolving drug-related crimes.
Muhammad-Bande also linked substance abuse to the rising wave of banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes, warning that the menace has spread across communities nationwide.
”Drug abuse spares no family or community,” he said, urging governments at all levels, traditional institutions, religious organisations and community groups to intensify efforts to prevent substance abuse, particularly among young people.
Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, represented by the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi, called for a united response to the growing challenge of drug abuse.
He warned that widespread addiction among youths poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s future leadership and development.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, represented by the agency’s Director of Prevention, Treatment and Care, Dr. Shehu Dankolo, said the fight against drug abuse requires collaboration among security agencies, traditional rulers, educational institutions, civil society organisations and local communities.
He emphasised the importance of intelligence sharing and urged citizens to provide timely information on drug traffickers and emerging drug hotspots.
Earlier, Chairman of the Sokoto Advancement Forum, Ambassador Ahmed Muhammad Wali, represented by the forum’s Deputy Chairman, Prof. Riskuwa Arabu Shehu, said the organisation was established as a non-partisan platform to promote sustainable development and social transformation in Sokoto State.
He disclosed that the forum had developed a five-year strategic development blueprint covering agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, security, business development, information technology, public service, environmental sustainability, gender inclusion and cultural development.
According to him, drug abuse remains one of the biggest obstacles to achieving the forum’s development objectives.
In separate remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof. Bashir Garba, represented by the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Zayyanu Umar, described substance abuse as a major social challenge affecting families, schools and communities, calling for sustained public enlightenment and preventive interventions.
Similarly, the Secretary of the Sokoto Advancement Forum, retired Permanent Secretary Alhaji Malami Ladan, said drug abuse among young people has become one of Nigeria’s most pressing social challenges, with devastating consequences for families, productivity and national development.
Vanguard report that the Vice-Chancellor of Shehu Shagari University of Education, Sokoto, Prof. Malami Umar Tambuwal, represented by Fatima Abubakar Gidadawa, commended the organisers for convening the dialogue and expressed optimism that its recommendations would strengthen efforts to protect Nigerian youths and promote peace, unity and social stability.