Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.), Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has urged religious leaders and communities to step up efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in the country.
Marwa made the call at the National Mosque in Abuja on Friday during a special Juma’at service commemorating the 2022 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day (WDD), is observed on June 26 each year.
It is intended to strengthen action and cooperation in the pursuit of a drug-free world.
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The NDLEA president stated that religious leaders must include in all sermons and prayers a message to youths and families to stay away from illegal drugs.
He also stated that the agency had made significant progress in reducing illicit drug trafficking in the last fifteen to sixteen months.
During that time, the agency removed nearly 4 million kilograms of illegal substances from the streets, he said.
“You can imagine the damage that would have done or the amount of money that would have gone into the streets if that had gone into the streets,” he says, “so we are grateful to God.”
“We urge our religious leaders to increase advocacy in all Nigerian communities.”
“It must be constantly emphasized in all sermons that drugs are bad for the health, families, communities, and societies as a whole.”
He stated that in all human endeavors, Nigerians must always seek God’s intervention, blessings, and assistance.
“So, in this fight and this scourge of drug abuse across the country, we pray to the Almighty for assistance in this fight, against the devilish criminals who are out to kill our youths, families, and communities.”
“We pray to the Almighty Allah for assistance, as well as for our youth to abandon this practice, and we also take this opportunity to thank the Almighty Allah for the progress made,” he said.
NAN
