To combat the problem of drug abuse among youths in society, the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS has called for collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
According to the student body, the collaboration is to address issues of drug abuse and trafficking among youths.
The Association led by its National Senate Clerk, Abdul-Yekinni Oduanyo, NANS Chairman Ogun JCC, Francis Adeyanju, NAOSS Global President, Kehinde Thomas among others made the call during a visit to the NDLEA’s headquarters in Abeokuta, Ogun state, South West Nigeria.
READ ALSO:Drug abuse: Kano govt to prevent traffickers from accessing seized items
Speaking on behalf of the student leaders, Oduanyo said the abuse of drugs is an issue of urgency following the large numbers of mad youth roaming the streets.
The Senate Clerk harped on the need for the agency to expand its awareness efforts into campuses and communities through student leaders.
He said, “ I can confirm that the NDLEA has been doing so well when it comes to enforcement but most of the students on campus are not aware, and most of our friends, sisters, and brothers at home are not aware. I think the NDLEA can do better by extending an awareness campaign into our campuses and communities through the student leaders to our friends and family at home. We have a very large number of mad people roaming the streets everything is not a spiritual problem, most of this is caused by the illicit use of drugs and they are most times influenced by their friends.
While lamenting that most Nigerian youths have turned the abuse of drugs into a daily lifestyle, Oduanyo underlined the importance of addressing the problem from the root rather than the mere surface.
“So apart from arresting those involved I feel the agency should be able to curb these acts directly from the source because those buying it are not the source or problem, those selling are also not the problem but where is it coming from? Who are those distributing these drugs? And we the Nigerian student leaders are ready to cooperate and collaborate with the NDLEA to take the campaign out of our campuses and the state” he stated.
Responding the NDLEA State Commander, Tijani Rabe, represented by the Deputy State Commander, Ekundayo Williams said the command in 2023 destroyed about three farms and arrested over 3,000 suspects.
Williams, however, expressed the command’s willingness to collaborate and work with the student leaders.
“ If we are to go by enforcement alone we have been doing it, just last year alone NDLEA destroyed about three farms in Ogun State here and about 10 suspects were arrested. We have been arresting dealers but these dealers work on roasters, if we pick a particular dealer out of the street you would see another in the next hour. Between January to this time over 3,000 suspects were arrested in the command here and we have convictions. So we are ready to collaborate with you because awareness is key and we want to protect the youths rather than go about arresting them” he said.
Also speaking, Oluseyi Morakinyo, from the Drug Demand Deduction Unit, maintained that although sensitization has been taken to schools, markets, and parks, the command still, cannot tackle the menace alone.
