South-West Abuses Drug Most in Nigeria – NDLEA Boss

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Obiajulu Joel Nwolu

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Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has said that the South-West and South-South rank top on the list of drug abuse cases in Nigeria.

Marwa stated that there is a link between drug abuse and violent crimes such as insurgency, banditry and kidnapping, adding that these vices would persist until drug abuse was tackled.

He disclosed this in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, on Friday during the inauguration of a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts named ‘Behavioural Action Centre’, built by a group known as Ogbomoso First Initiative.

The new NDLEA helmsman said the rate of drug abuse in the South-West was 22.4 per cent, with the South-South and South-East following with 16.6 and 13.8 per cent, respectively, Punch reports.

He added that the North-East, North-West and North-Central came after with 13.6, 12 and 10 per cent, respectively.

Marwa said, “We are facing drug challenge in Nigeria but it is a solvable challenge. To achieve this, all stakeholders must come together to solve the problem. Drug challenge does not discriminate between Christians and Muslims. No community is not affected by this debilitating issue.

“Banditry, insurgency, kidnapping and other criminal activities all have their root in the use of hard substances. Until we face the menace squarely, the problem of insecurity will continue to remain with us.”

He beckoned on the traditional rulers, religious centres and schools to rise against this drug abuse challenge, especially among the youths.