In a concerted effort to combat drug abuse among youths, particularly students, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for a collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
This initiative aims to address the pressing issues of drug abuse and trafficking among young people. The call was made by the National Senate Clerk of NANS, Abdulyekinn Oduanyo, during a courtesy visit to the Ogun State headquarters of the NDLEA in Abeokuta on Monday. He was accompanied by the NANS Chairman, Ogun Joint Campus Committee, Francis Adeyanju, and the Global President of the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS), Kehinde Thomas, among others.
Speaking on behalf of the student leaders, Oduanyo emphasized the urgency of addressing drug abuse due to the increasing number of youths affected. He highlighted the need for the NDLEA to extend its awareness campaigns to campuses and communities through student leaders.
“I can confirm that the NDLEA has been doing well in enforcement, but most students on campus are unaware, and our friends, sisters, and brothers at home are also unaware. The NDLEA can improve by extending awareness campaigns into our campuses and communities through student leaders,” Oduanyo stated.
He stressed the importance of tackling the root causes of drug abuse rather than just addressing the symptoms. “We have a large number of people affected by drug abuse roaming the streets. This issue is not always a spiritual problem; it is often caused by the illicit use of drugs. The NDLEA should focus on curbing these acts at their source, identifying those distributing these drugs.”
Oduanyo assured that Nigerian student leaders are ready to cooperate and collaborate with the NDLEA to bring awareness campaigns to campuses and the broader community.
In response, Ogun State Commander of the NDLEA, Tijjani Rabe, represented by Deputy State Commander Ekundayo Williams, shared that the command destroyed about three cannabis farms and arrested over 3,000 suspects in 2023. Williams expressed the command’s willingness to collaborate with student leaders, emphasizing the importance of awareness over enforcement alone.
“Last year, the NDLEA destroyed about three farms in Ogun State and arrested about ten suspects. Between January and now, over 3,000 suspects have been arrested, and we have secured convictions. We are ready to collaborate with you because awareness is key, and we want to protect the youths rather than just arrest them,” Williams said.
Oluseyi Morakinyo, from the Drug Demand Reduction Unit, added that although sensitization efforts have reached schools, markets, and parks, the command cannot tackle the drug abuse menace alone.
