By Correspondent in Lokoja.
In a colourful and energetic display, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday took to the streets of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, north central Nigeria,to rally residents against the menace of drug abuse. The event marks the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The spirited road walk, which drew attention from passersby, kicked off at Paparanda Roundabout and snaked through IBB Way, ending at the Government House.
It featured high-spirited participation from government officials, security agencies, and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who brought the streets to life with chants, music, and dance.
Leading the charge was the NDLEA Commander in the state, Mr. Umar Yahuza, joined by the Wife of the Governor, Hajiya Sefinat Ododo (represented by Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Ms. Comfort Ojoma-Nwuchiola), the State Commissioner of Police, and other dignitaries.
Yahuza described the event as a loud and clear message to the public, especially the youth, on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking.
“We are on the streets today to sound the alarm that illicit drugs destroy lives, futures, and families,” he said.
“Between January and June this year, the NDLEA arrested 129 suspects and seized 282.3 kilograms of illicit drugs in Kogi State alone. This shows the level of threat we’re facing.”
In a sobering reminder of the human side of the crisis, Yahuza revealed that 146 individuals battling drug dependency had received counselling within the same period, adding that forty of them were referred by concerned family members, and many have since been reintegrated into society.
He appealed to the state government to urgently establish a rehabilitation and skills acquisition centre for drug users, saying this would offer addicts a second chance at life and help make them productive members of society.
Hajiya Sefinat Ododo, represented at the event, pledged that the government would not turn a blind eye.
“A bill to establish a rehab and skill acquisition centre is already before the House of Assembly, and I will ensure it becomes a reality during my husband’s tenure.
“As a mother, I am deeply saddened whenever I see young people drowning in the tragedy of drug addiction. Our youths are our future, and we must fight to protect them.l,”the First of the state said.
The NDLEA warned traffickers and users to desist immediately or face the full wrath of the law, asserting that there’s no safe haven for drug crime in Kogi State.
Our correspondent reports that though the event blended advocacy with entertainment, the message was crystal clear: drugs ruin lives, and communities must unite to end the cycle.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
