The Commander of the 17 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Katsina, Brig.-Gen. Babatunde Omopariola, has warned that drug addiction is draining Nigeria’s workforce and threatening the country’s future.
Speaking during the 2025 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) held at the brigade’s officers’ mess in Katsina on Saturday, Omopariola urged military personnel to report any soldier found using illicit substances.
He described drug abuse as a destructive force eroding the nation’s social and medical foundations, particularly within the barracks.
“We must be ready to take decisive action against anyone found guilty if we truly want a drug-free society,” the commander stated.
He also dispelled the notion that drug use enhances combat performance, stressing: “You don’t need to smoke weed to perform. Are we not fearless? Are we not bold?”
Omopariola called on parents and guardians to engage their children early, noting that drug habits often begin in childhood.
In her remarks, guest lecturer and senior NDLEA official, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim, linked the rising insecurity across parts of Nigeria to drug abuse.
“There is no terrorism, no banditry, no prostitution, no ritual killings that does not have drug abuse at its root,” she said.
Ibrahim refuted the claim that unemployment is a justifiable reason for substance abuse, adding, “There are unemployed people living decent, drug-free lives. Joblessness is not an excuse.”
She also highlighted the dangers of both legal and illegal substances, cautioning that even everyday items like kola nuts, tea, and coffee can alter mood and behavior.
The NDLEA official further expressed concern about the misuse of over-the-counter drugs and the continued illegal access to controlled medications such as Rohypnol and Pentazocine.
“Drug abuse is not merely a criminal issue it is a public health crisis,” Ibrahim declared, calling for a nationwide, collective response involving government, civil society, families, and individuals.