Fatima Popoola urges parents, communities and corporate bodies to step up efforts against rising youth drug abuse

The Kwara State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has identified motor parks in Lagos, Oyo, Abuja and other major Nigerian cities as key flashpoints for the shipment of illicit drugs. This was disclosed on Tuesday by Kwara State Commander Fatima Popoola during the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) stakeholders’ conference held in Ilorin.

According to Popoola, commercial bus operators are frequently used by drug traffickers to transport banned substances into Kwara State from Lagos, Oyo and Abuja. She noted that some drivers are financially induced to evade security checkpoints, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to disrupt these supply routes. “Aside from commercial bus drivers, some peddlers also use tinted SUVs to convey the banned substances,” Popoola stated.

The NDLEA commander warned that these trafficking methods have become entrenched in society, with significant impact on youth crime rates. “It is a known fact that most crimes committed by the youth have underlying drug abuse,” she said. Popoola called on parents and community leaders across North-Central states to intensify monitoring and guidance of young people to curb rising drug-related offences.

Popoola further appealed for stronger corporate involvement in Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign. She commended MTN’s annual one percent post-tax deduction towards substance abuse prevention initiatives, describing it as a positive example of private sector partnership in national development.

As NDLEA continues its operations targeting transport networks and traffickers across the region, stakeholders at the Ilorin conference agreed that coordinated action between government agencies, local communities and businesses remains crucial for tackling Nigeria’s persistent drug problem.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/ndlea-lists-motor-parks-as-drug-shipments-flashpoints/