The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), has revealed alarming statistics about drug abuse in Nigeria’s North-West region, disclosing that more than three million people in the area are struggling with substance addiction.
Marwa shared these findings during a two-day government-citizen engagement forum held in Kaduna on Tuesday.
Citing a recent United Nations report, Marwa stated that 14.4 million Nigerians aged 15-64 currently abuse drugs, with the North-West accounting for 12% of this figure – translating to approximately 3 million users.
He particularly highlighted Kano State’s severe situation, where nearly one million individuals are affected by drug addiction.
The NDLEA chief presented a regional breakdown of drug prevalence, showing the South-West leading with 24.4%, followed by the South-South (18%), South-East (13.8%), North-East (13.4%), North-West (12%), and North-Central (10%).
Marwa emphasised that these figures represent a national crisis, with drug abuse ranking among Nigeria’s top three challenges alongside insecurity and economic issues.
Marwa connected drug abuse to the surge in violent crimes across the region, stating, “This epidemic is destroying families, ruining youths, and fueling criminal activities like kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism.”
He acknowledged the Tinubu administration’s enhanced support for the NDLEA, including modern equipment, increased personnel, and expanded operational presence at airports, seaports, highways, and through a new marine command.
The former military governor called for concerted efforts to address the crisis, warning that the current drug abuse rates pose significant threats to public health, security, and socioeconomic development in Northern Nigeria and the nation at large.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
