The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported that approximately three million Nigerians in the North-West geopolitical zone are battling drug addiction. This alarming figure was revealed by NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa, during the launch of a campaign to combat illicit drug use in the region on Monday.
The campaign, themed “Stop Drug Abuse and Domestic Violence in Our Communities, was aimed at raising awareness and addressing the severe consequences of substance abuse. The event was held in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and facilitated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
During his address, Marwa stressed that the 2018 National Drug Use Survey, conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), revealed that 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 use psychoactive substances. He noted that the North-West zone, which includes Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Sokoto, has the highest prevalence of drug abuse in the country, with Kano having a staggering 16% rate of addiction.
With an estimated population of 25 million in 2016, about 12% of the North-West population ”approximately three million people ”are affected by drug use, Marwa said.
He called for a unified effort to tackle the drug abuse crisis, urging the collaboration of state governments, lawmakers, local authorities, and other stakeholders in finding long-term solutions. Parents, community leaders, traditional rulers, pastors, and imams must all play their part in preventing drug abuse and ensuring those involved receive the help they need, he emphasized.
The NDLEA has set up 30 counseling and rehabilitation centers nationwide, helping over 22,000 individuals through treatment, rehabilitation, and psychosocial interventions in the past four years. Marwa also called on the North-West governors to establish at least three rehabilitation centers in each state, one per senatorial district.
Marwa further explained that the NDLEA has implemented an Alternative Development Unit, which works to provide alternative income sources to communities involved in the illicit drug trade. This initiative has received praise from the UNODC as the first of its kind in Africa.
The Director-General of the NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, also spoke at the event, highlighting the connection between drug abuse and violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, and terrorism. He urged collective action to break the cycle of addiction and violence, emphasizing that the growing menace of drug abuse must be addressed with urgency.
We must mobilize our communities, especially the youth, to reject the drug culture and criminal activities,Issa-Onilu said, calling for an increased effort to create awareness and facilitate the rehabilitation of affected individuals.
The campaign, which will run for four months, is a coordinated effort between federal, state, and local stakeholders to promote a safer, drug-free North-West zone. The flag-off ceremony in Kaduna was attended by various dignitaries, including Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, traditional and religious leaders, and representatives from youth groups and civil society organizations.
The NDLEA and NOA have urged all citizens to support the initiative and join hands in making the campaign a success, with the goal of building a healthier, safer, and drug-free Nigeria.
