Kano Has 2 Million Drug Addicts — Buba Marwa

NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, said on
Monday in Kano that the state has about two million drug
addicts, representing 16 per cent prevalence.
Marwa made the disclosure when he paid a courtesy visit to
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje.
“In Kano State, drug abuse prevalence is 16 per cent; that is,
in every six persons, one is a drug addict and they are
between the ages of 15 years and 64 years.
Kano State has close to two million drug users abusing
tramadol, codeine and other cough syrups, rather than
cannabis.
“I will like to mention here that since I assumed leadership
of NDLEA in January, we have seized over two million
kilogrammes of assorted drugs, estimated at billions of
Naira.
“Eight thousand people were arrested and 1,600 are now
serving jail terms in correctional service facilities, and we
are still working.
Drug abuse has gone to the level of destroying our families
unless is tackled with all seriousness it deserves,’’ he said.
Marwa said that the use drugs propelled criminal activities
ranging from banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery, among
others.
He said that NDLEA was comfortable that Kano State
government was a worthy partner in tackling drug
Marwa urged the state government to make legislation that
would prevent politicians from giving drugs to youths.
He also urged the government to make legislation on
compulsory drug abuse test for intending couples, also as
part of measures to fight against drug abuse.
In his address of welcome, Gov. Ganduje said that Kano
State is the most populous state with highest number of
youths and a commercial nerve centre of Nigeria and some
West African countries.
Ganduje said that government would relocate legitimate drug
dealers to a market as part of efforts to check drug abuse
and trafficking.
At the Emir of Kano’s palace, Marwa solicited for the
support of the emirate in addressing the menace.
He urged the emirate to assist NDLEA in enlightening
landlords that any house found to be used for drug abuse
and trafficking would be confiscated by court.
Walin-Kano, Alhaji Mahe Bashir-Wali, who represented Emir
Aminu Ado-Bayero, assured Marwa of the emirate’s support
in the on-going fight against drug abuse.
“If we succeed, we would have enhanced security situation.
We are ever ready to join hands with NDLEA to fight against
the scourge,’’ Bashir-Wali said.