Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has attributed approximately 80 per cent of the state's security challenges to drug abuse, stating that hard drugs are a major driver of violent crime and banditry. He made the remarks on Thursday during a public lecture marking the 2026 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, held at the Auditorium of Sultan Maccido Institute for Qur'an and General Studies in Sokoto. Speaking through his Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Gobir, Aliyu said individuals under the influence of narcotics commit atrocities such as village raids, killings and arson without remorse, actions he described as contrary to religion and humanity.
Aliyu emphasized that drug abuse not only fuels criminality but also destroys families, hampers youth potential and poses serious health risks. He urged young people to avoid substance abuse, stressing that their aspirations to become national leaders or top professionals would be unattainable if they engaged in drug use or trafficking. The governor disclosed the establishment of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Substance Abuse Control and Prevention to coordinate awareness campaigns and community sensitisation across local government areas. He reiterated his administration's commitment to supporting rehabilitation efforts and dismantling drug trafficking networks.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was commended for its role in combating drug abuse, with State Commander Mustapha Gidado affirming the agency's dual focus on enforcement and rehabilitation. Alhaji Abdulrazak Shehu, Coordinator of the Centre for Sensitization Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, noted in his presentation titled "NDLEA and Public Perception" that drug abuse significantly contributes to violent crimes and called for broader societal engagement. Dr. Aminu Ahmad Nyako, Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria in Sokoto State, warned that drug abuse can damage every part of the human body and derail users' futures.
Governor Aliyu blames 80 per cent of Sokoto's security troubles on drugs while his administration only recently created a coordination office for awareness campaigns. The scale of the problem he describes far outweighs the visible state response so far. If hard drugs are driving most violence, then a single advisory office may not match the urgency of the crisis. The gap between the severity of the claim and the modesty of the action speaks for itself.
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