The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen Buba Marwa (retd.), has said 15 million Nigerians consume illicit drugs.
Marwa said this yesterday during an interactive session with local government chairmen in Jos, the Plateau State capital. The NDLEA boss decried the surge in the distribution and consumption of illicit substances, saying one out of seven Nigerians indulged in drug abuse.
He described the trend as “shameful”, ading that the agency had put modalities in place to curb the menace.
Marwa noted that the surge in drug abuse had destroyed many youths and communities, hence the need for the interactive session.
“As I speak to you, 15 million Nigerians use illicit drugs. One out of seven Nigerians take hard substances.“There is no community in Nigeria that is exempted from drug abuse, and this is why we keep having security challenges here and there.
“Drug propels a lot of negative actions, particularly among young people. It is destroying our youths and even the communities.
“We want the chairmen to work with and support us to kick this hydra-headed monster called drug abuse out of our society,” he said.
The NDLEA boss urged the council chairmen to replicate the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) committee, recently launched by President Muhammadu Buhari, in their domains and communities.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Chairman of Jos North Local Government Area, Mr. Shehu Usman, thanked Marwa for organising the interactive session.
He maintained that such move would help in creating awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and other vices.
Also yesterday, Marwa decried the devastating effect of illicit drugs on the society.
The NDLEA boss spoke during his visit to Governor Simon Lalong at the Government House in Jos.
He noted that the consumption of illicit drugs had fuelled violent crimes and insecurity in many parts of Nigeria, including Plateau State.
