The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig-Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa, rtd, made the declaration at a stakeholders’ assembly in Benin City, with the theme, “Addressing the Drug Problems in Edo State.”
Marwa, who stated he was personally main the struggle in opposition to drug abuse and trafficking, disclosed that Edo State had a drug abuse prevalence rate of 15 per cent.
He stated the affected inhabitants comprised individuals between the ages of 15 and 64, including that Lagos and Kano states recorded prevalence charges of 33 per cent and 16 per cent, respectively.
“We cannot do it alone. It is a whole-of-society approach. All stakeholders must join hands, flex muscles, work together, collaborate and defeat this criminality.
“We appeal to parents and guardians to monitor their children’s behaviour and seek early intervention when they notice signs of substance abuse.
“Parents and guardians must monitor their children. You have to monitor them; you know your child and the normal behaviour of the child. When you notice some changes, you know that it is time to interrogate and find out what is going on,” he stated.
Marwa advocated the institution of drug-free golf equipment and counselling models in colleges, whereas calling on the media to discourage the glorification of drug use by entertainers and different public figures.
The former Military Governor of Lagos State additionally reiterated his name for obligatory drug checks for intending {couples}, describing drug abuse as a elementary drawback that have to be addressed.
He stated the drug scourge didn’t discriminate based mostly on area, faith, tribe or gender.
In his remarks, the Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, stated the stakeholders’ engagement supplied a platform to evaluation collective efforts and determine gaps in the struggle in opposition to drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the state.
Ofoyeju added that the assembly would assist chart a sustainable roadmap in direction of reaching a drug-free Edo State.
“It will also help us to strengthen intelligence and community collaboration for more effective prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation, and enhance public awareness of the dangers of illicit drugs and the need for early intervention.
“I therefore urge everyone to participate actively, share insights freely and contribute meaningful ideas that will further strengthen our resolve and strategies.
“Let us remember that the future of our children, our communities and, of course, our nation, Nigeria, depends on the actions we take today,” he added.
In his goodwill message, the Commander of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Benin City, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun, stated the Army in Edo loved strong collaboration with the NDLEA State Command.
Balogun stated that in joint operations, it was usually tough to differentiate between army personnel and NDLEA operatives.
“Most times when we go out on operations, you would not be able to differentiate between the military and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,” he acknowledged.
On her half, the Coordinator of the Office of the Wife of the Edo State Governor and Chairperson of the State Drug Control Committee, Mrs Edesili Okpebholo-Anani, described drug abuse as a rising risk to households and communities.
Anani stated its penalties included well being challenges and monetary hardship for households struggling to rehabilitate affected family members.
She counseled the NDLEA’s various growth initiative, which inspires hashish farmers to undertake authentic livelihoods, describing it as an revolutionary strategy to addressing the financial drivers of unlawful cultivation.
She stated Edo was in replicating the pilot challenge and had acquired a constructive response from the company.
