Kaduna State Government in North-West Nigeria is ramping up its fight against insecurity and the surging wave of drug abuse.
Governor Uba Sani reaffirmed this resolve in Abuja during a high-level meeting with the Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, Cheikh Toure
Kaduna has seen a disturbing spike in the misuse of codeine-based syrups, tramadol, and potent strains of cannabis.
Security experts and health officials warn that this epidemic is fueling the region’s crisis of banditry and youth-led violence.
The visit by UNODC delegation is to cement a partnership with Kaduna State to find sustainable ways to break the cycle of addiction and crime gripping Northern Nigeria.
Governor Sani described drug abuse as a primary engine of insecurity, calling for a united front between the government, international bodies, and local communities to tackle the issue head-on.
The Governor also signaled his readiness to roll out UNODC-backed rehabilitation and prevention programmes specifically designed to decouple substance abuse from violent crime.
A regional summit is now on the horizon, expected to gather stakeholders from across the North to draft a unified strategy for a safer, drug-free future.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
