NDLEA - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Ismail Abdulaziz
Feb, Thu, 2025

FRSC, NDLEA partner on illegal drug use

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By Ibironke Ariyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is partnering with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other stakeholders in a campaign against illicit drug use by motorists across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The FRSC is also collaborating with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to ensure that all motor parks across the country maintain cleanliness.

FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, made the announcement on Thursday while leading heads of various government agencies and the President of the Court of Appeal on a sensitisation campaign.

The campaign took place at the Jabi Central Motor Park in Abuja is aimed at raising awareness on road safety and the dangers of illicit drug use among motorists.

Mohammed stated that these efforts were critical to achieving the success of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Programmes on safety and environmental cleanliness.

He expressed concern over the illegal trade and consumption of illicit drugs at motor parks across the country and emphasised that the FRSC would continue to withdraw the licenses of motorists caught consuming alcoholic beverages or illicit drugs.

“The intake of illicit drugs endangers not only the drivers’ lives but also the lives of those around them.

“We will not rest until we ensure that our roads are safe for everyone,” he said.

He added that this year, the FRSC would place greater emphasis on strict enforcement and prosecution of traffic offenders for effective traffic management.

Speaking at the event, NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, who was represented by NDLEA FCT Commander, Mr Kabir Tsakuwa, urged commercial drivers to refrain from taking illicit drugs, calling it hazardous to their health.

Marwa stressed that the NDLEA was committed to making Nigeria free of illicit drugs and highlighted that Jabi Park had been a long-standing partner in ensuring the park was free from drug sales and consumption.

Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, expressed concern about the many lives lost to road accidents, especially young Nigerians, due to illicit drug use by commercial drivers.

She appealed to transport union leaders across the country to join the campaign against alcohol and drug consumption at motor parks to bring order to the roads.

NESREA Director General, Dr Innocent Barikor, emphasised the importance of keeping motor parks clean and avoiding littering, which could damage vehicles and lead to accidents.

In response, one of the leaders of the Jabi Central Motor Park, Mr Gabriel Okeh, thanked FRSC, NDLEA, NESREA, and other agencies including NGOs, for bringing the campaign to the park.

He pledged the park’s support for government efforts to sanitise the environment and make roads safer.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FRSC Corps Marshal, President of the Court of Appeal, and other stakeholders inspected kiosks and shops within the motor park.

They encouraged the vendors to halt illegal commercial activities, including the sale of illicit drugs, in the interest of saving lives. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Philip Daniel Yatai
Nov, Tue, 2024

Business , Defence/Security

Drug abuse destroying Nigeria’s future leaders – Etsu Kwali

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By Philip Yatai

Mr Luka Nizassan, Etsu of Kwali, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says Nigeria’s future is at stake following the high rate of drug abuse among the youths.

Nizassan expressed the concern in Abuja on Tuesday, at a one-day Rise Above Conference, with the theme, “United for a Drug-free Life.”

The conference was organised by Al Masaareef Foundation, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), targeting more than 500 secondary school students.

He pointed out that Nigeria was losing potential future leaders who were addicted to drug and substance abuse.

He said that the prevalence of drug and substance abuse was alarming, not only among the youths, but even adults, particularly parents.

“Unfortunately, even some of the mentors and educators ate into drugs and it has become conventional that nobody sees anything wrong with it.

“The songs that we listen to today are promoting drugs.

“Drug abuse is prevalent everywhere, in the market, it’s in mosques, it’s in churches, in villages and in the government; it is everywhere.

“Until we decide to be concerted in our efforts towards dealing with drug related issues, our nation will not have the leaders that will take over this country tomorrow,” he said.

He said that the key stimulant to insecurity in the country was drug abuse, adding that a lot of persons were making money out of it, “yet, it is destroying the fabrics of this nation.”

The royal father advised students to be among persons that would rise above drug abuse, responsible for 40 per cent of Nigeria’s problems, particularly insecurity.

Nizassan said that insecurity had continued to stall development in the country because the problem of drug abuse, its key stimulant, had not been addressed.

According to him, stakeholders must stop paying lip service to drug abuse and be deliberate about addressing the menace.

“First, we need to crack down all the channels where these drugs are made available.

“As stakeholders, we need to wake up to our responsibilities and tackle the challenge, from where the drugs are produced to where the end users are.

“We all have roles to play at various stages of the supply chain, and when we wake up to our roles, we will be able to address the issue of drugs squarely.

“Until stakeholders wake up to their responsibilities, Nigeria will not be able to address the problem of drug abuse that is already affecting the future of children in the country.”

At community level, the royal father said that community leaders have a role to play in changing the narrative through concerted advocacies against drug abuse.

“We will continue to speak to our people, speak to our women, to our children, and our religious leaders,” he said.

Earlier, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Al Masaareef Foundation, Dr Hauwa Wambai, said that the 500 secondary school students were being mobilised to fight drug abuse among youth in the FCT.

Wambai explained that each of the 500 students, drawn from 62 wards across the six area councils of the FCT, would be expected to train five persons.

She added that each of the five persons would also train at least one person, adding that the strategy was expected to reach at least 2,500 youths with key messages against drug abuse. (NAN)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu