South-west tops List as NDLEA Reveals Regions with Highest Cases of Drug Abuse
- Buba Marwa, the chairman of the NDLEA has raised concerns over drug abuse in the country
- The NDLEA boss provided statistics about drug abuse rates in several parts of Nigeria
- Marwa is confident that insecurity in the country will reduce if drug abuse is checked
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Buba Marwa, the chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has disclosed that Southwest Nigeria currently records the highest cases of drug abuse in the country.
Source: Twitter
He made the disclosure on Friday, March 19, 2021, in Ogbomoso, Oyo state during the inauguration of a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts built by a group known as Ogbomoso First Initiative.
The Punch reported that the NDLEA boss stated there is a connection between drug abuse and the increase of crime in Nigeria.
According to him, the rates of drug abuse in the country are as follows:
1. Southwest - 22.4%
2. Southsouth - 16.6%
3. Southeast - 13.8%
4. Northeast - 13.6 %
5. Northcentral - 10%
He 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. There is no community that is not affected by this debilitating issue.''
He pointed out that banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, and other criminal activities all have their root in the use of hard substances.
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Marwa explained that the problem of insecurity will continue to remain if drug abuse is not checked in Nigeria.
According to Sahara Reporters, he urged governors to build at least three rehabilitation centres in their states, saying each senatorial district ought to have one.
He also encouraged traditional rulers, religious centres and schools to campaign against drug abuse among youths.
Meanwhile, Buba Marwa has recommended integrity drug tests for students and politicians.
The NDLEA boss said the recommendation was necessary to ensure that people aspiring for public offices are not involved in drugs, Channels TV reported.
He made the statement on Wednesday, March 17, at a meeting with the Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in Marina, according to a statement by the chief press secretary to the governor, Gboyega Akosile.
Kess Ewubare is a senior political/current affairs correspondent at Legit.ng. He has both a BSc and a Master’s degree in mass communication. He has over 10 years experience working in several fields of mass communication including radio, TV, newspaper, and online. He can be reached via email at kess2099@gmail.com.
Source: Legit.ng
