The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Kano State Multi-Joint Task Force Committee to tackle drug abuse.
This is contained in a statement by the state NDLEA Commander, Dahiru Yahaya-Lawal through the command’s Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari on Wednesday in Kano.
Yahaya-Lawal gave the assurance while receiving the Committee members led by Muhuyi Magaji Esq, who were on familiarisation visit to the command headquarters in Kano.
He described the task force as a critical stakeholder in complementing the agency’s efforts to combat drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the state.
He said that addressing the drug menace required a comprehensive approach that was beyond arrests and seizures but included prevention, education and community engagement.
According to the commander, sustained advocacy involving religious, traditional and community leaders, as well as targeted sensitisation of vulnerable groups, is essential to reducing drug abuse.
Yahaya-Lawal also highlighted the NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, initiated by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba-Marwa (Rtd.).
He described it as a key strategy to preventing substance abuse through public enlightenment.
He said the introduction of drug integrity tests in tertiary institutions was aimed at discouraging drug abuse rather than punishing victims.
The commander further commended Buba-Marwa for the establishment of the NDLEA-Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) committee, describing it as a timely initiative to curb the diversion of controlled substances.
Earlier, Magaji said the visit was aimed at familiarising members of the task force with the NDLEA command.
He reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to working closely with the agency.
He described the NDLEA as an agency with strong prosecutorial powers under its enabling Act and pledged the committee’s support towards achieving a drug-free and safer Kano.
Magaji identified advocacy and community sensitisation as critical measures to curbing the proliferation and abuse of illicit substances across the state.
He said the committee was ready to strengthen cooperation with the NDLEA through coordinated actions and public enlightenment programmes.
He pledged to continue the collaboration through kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to dismantle drug trafficking networks, strengthen public awareness and reduce substance abuse.
He also commended Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano for establishing the Multi-Joint Task Force Committee as part of the state’s strategy to address drug abuse and related crimes.
The highlight of the visit was the presentation of a plaque to Magaji in recognition of his commitment to the fight against drug abuse.
