Imo State commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abdullahi Saeed has expressed concerns over the rising number of secondary school and tertiary institutions students who engage in drugs in the country.
Saeed disclosed this during the commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Owerri, the state capital.
At the event that brought together students from several secondary schools, operatives of security agencies, civil society organisations, media, and traditional rulers, amongst others, Saeed lamented that several young adults were embracing drugs.
He said, “Painfully, it is a fact today that a good number of our youths, both male and female, particularly those in secondary schools and tertiary institutions, find abuse of drugs fashionable and therefore embrace it without hesitation. This already creates a huge problem for society. It is a well-known fact that drug has nexus with other crimes such as banditry, kidnapping, murder, suicide, rape, robbery, theft etc”, the NDLEA boss said.
He disclosed that the state command had arrested 192 drug offenders, comprised of 171 males and 21 females, and 2,639 kilograms of substance seized, mainly cannabis.
Saeed said they had secured 30 convictions, while 40 persons were successfully rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.
Saeed appealed to the students to shun peer pressure to do drugs, noting that this year’s theme, “Evidence is clear: invest in prevention,” recognised the need to prevent the use of drugs.
According to him, as a people desirous of a peaceful, prosperous and secure nation, it was important to collectively sustain the war on drug abuse and Illicit trafficking for the good of all.
Saeed expressed gratitude to the NDLEA chairman, Brig-Gen Buba Marwa (retd), who he said had boosted the agency’s image; Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State; sister security agencies; and the people for their support.
Dr Uloma Evi-Parker, who represented the state commissioner for health, Dr Dorothy Utazi, and Chiamaka Ugbede, an NDLEA senior staff member, were speakers at the event.
