Yemi Obafemi
The Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Kwara State command, Hajia Fatima Abiola-Popoola, has urged traditional leaders to help in fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
Abiola-Popoola expressed concern over the rising number of drug users in the country, particularly among females.
She disclosed this while answering questions from journalists in Ilorin.
The commander also recommended that the National Universities Commission should make drug testind a mandatory requirement for admission into tertiary institutions as it will help to prevent drug trafficking and abuse.
“According to a 2018 survey, 14.3 million people are using drugs in Nigeria; one out of seven persons in Nigeria is a drug user, while one out of every four drug users is a woman.
“This shows that the society is in trouble. This is because a woman is the administrator of the home and now that women have started abusing drugs, then the society is in trouble.
“The traditional rulers have some control over their people and they are the closest to the communities.
“Whenever they say a word, it almost becomes a law among their people who hold them in high esteem. They have a stronghold of their communities, and that is why they are very important in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
“We have been making use of the traditional rulers over the years. When traditional heads rise in their respective communities against drug traffickers, their people will join them in the fight.
“In 2021, the then President, Muhammadu Buhari, launched the War Against Drug Abuse and in launching it, all traditional rulers were represented because the aim of this WADA is community mobilisation, which will be led by the traditional rulers,” she said.
