The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), has called for collective action by families, religious institutions, and community leaders to tackle substance abuse, cultism, and banditry among Nigerian youths.
Marwa made the call on Saturday in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, while delivering the keynote address at a seminar organised by the Ijebu Ode Council of Olorituns with the theme, “Dangers of Drug Abuse, Cultism and Banditry Among Youths.”
He described the three issues as interlinked problems feeding each other in a cycle of violence and criminality, noting that cultism had spread from tertiary institutions to secondary schools and neighbourhoods.
A statement by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi quoted Marwa as saying ,”While these issues may appear distinct, they are intricately connected, feeding one another in a cycle of destruction that must be broken if our society is to thrive. Cultism, once largely confined to tertiary institutions, has insidiously spread into secondary schools and neighbourhoods.
“What began as secret gatherings has transformed into violent confraternities, often manipulated by political or criminal interests. These groups lure young people, often under the guise of brotherhood, protection or empowerment, into a world of fear, violence and premature death. Tragically, the hands of many of our youth have been stained with the blood of their peers, all for false promises of belonging and power,” he said.
He warned that Nigeria, which already has one of the highest drug use prevalence rates globally, could be affected by a projected 40 per cent increase in drug use across Africa.
Marwa urged stakeholders to strengthen family values, ensure schools remain safe spaces, and invest in youth development through education, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and sports.
He also called for enhanced grassroots security and community partnership with law enforcement agencies.
“The first step is collective responsibility. Parents, religious institutions, traditional rulers, educational authorities and community leaders must rise with one voice against these vices. The family unit must be strengthened as the first point of moral instruction, while schools should be safe spaces that promote discipline, mentorship and awareness.
“We must also invest in youth development by creating opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and sports. Idle hands, as we know, are the devil’s workshop. When our young people find purpose and meaning, they are less likely to seek false validation from cults or drugs”, Marwa stated.
Highlighting the NDLEA’s efforts, he said that in the past 54 months, the agency had arrested 67,345 drug offenders, including 95 barons, with 12,415 convicted. He added that 11.2 million kilograms of illicit drugs had been seized, 1,572 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed, and over 27,000 drug users rehabilitated.
Marwa commended the Council of Olorituns for organising the seminar and urged other communities to emulate the initiative. During his visit, he also paid a condolence call to the family of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
The council’s chairman, Chief Adebisi Adeola Alausa, and the chairman of the occasion, Senator Lekan Mustapha, commended Marwa for his commitment to youth safety and societal values.
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