Over 60% of Nigerian drug offenders are youths, says NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa
via Punch Nigeria9 hours ago3 min read
Buba Marwa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, revealed that over 60% of drug offenders arrested in Nigeria in the past five years are young people. He also stated that the majority of the 48,836 drug users counselled and treated at NDLEA facilities during the same period were youths. Marwa shared this information during a public lecture at the University of Abuja's combined convocation ceremony. He highlighted that among the 77,859 drug offenders arrested, some were as young as 15 years old. Marwa warned that drug offenses lead to severe consequences, including a permanent criminal record that can derail future careers. He expressed concern over the shift from traditional drugs to synthetic opioids and designer drugs, noting the increasing role of social media in drug distribution and student involvement in trafficking. Marwa linked drug abuse to cultism, campus violence, and impaired mental capacity, citing the 2018 National Drug Use and Health Survey which indicated that many Nigerians begin substance abuse around age 19, with increasing experimentation among those under 15. He urged graduating students to avoid peer pressure and maintain a clear mind, emphasizing that drug abuse affects not only individuals but also families, institutions, and society. Marwa called on stakeholders to intensify efforts against drug abuse and commended the University of Abuja for its collaboration with the NDLEA on campus surveillance.
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Original source
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
