Kano State, closely followed by Kaduna,
Katsina, Borno and more recently, Niger State are among states in the
North with the highest cases of constant drug abuse in the country, it
has been revealed.
Disclosing this in an interview with
THISDAY on Saturday, former Director General, National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Otunba Olarewaju Ipinmisho, said the upsurge
in substance abuse in Kano and Kaduna States particularly, was
frightening and if not quickly tackled, may get out of control.
According to him, “If you take an
estimate of 10 boys particularly in Kano, seven will be on drugs. How
then do we ascertain peace in such a place? That is why the governor
will labour and see no result because the average teenager there is on
drugs.
“This case is very frightening because,
the boy taking drugs at home is as dangerous as the armed robber in the
night. That is a murderer in waiting. And anyone who attempts to stop
him should be ready to die because he can kill to get his way.”
He explained that the problem in these
areas could easily spread to other parts of the North. For him, the case
of Kaduna, which is close to Abuja is worrisome.
“Abuja is not an exemption because
places like Wuse ll, especially Banex Junction is a spot FCT Police
Command should do something about,” Ipinmisho said.
Continuing, he said; “In Nigeria, it is
very, very frightening. Go to political rallies today and see what drugs
are doing to the youth of this country. Particularly in the North, they
have a lot to worry about when it comes to drugs.
“You will see young boys and girls
openly inhaling and sniffing substances like fuel, and over-abusing
drugs meant for other purposes, like tramadol and codeine, and smoking
marijuana in the streets without care or fear of being arrested.”
He also advised parents who send their
children to schools abroad to keep close tabs on them lest they’re lured
into drug use due to peer pressure.
The former NDLEA DG frowned at what he
described as government’s total disregard for human capacity development
which he said has been overshadowed by physical development.
“Actually, they see construction of
roads and erecting new structures and building bridges as more
important. Though, they ought to do this but more emphasis should be put
on human development because structures mean nothing without the human
element.
“Their concern is that, when election
comes, they use this guys and of course, you can’t use normal human
beings to do the kind of job they want. But they forget that they won’t
be in government forever.
“I think the modern leaders in the North
should gather under one roof and trash out this issues; they should
prioritise human development.”
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