The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (retd.), on Thursday declared war on drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State.

Marwa spoke at an interactive stakeholder engagement in Benin, where he urged religious bodies, including Christian and Islamic organisations, to join the fight against illicit drugs.

The event was attended by representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Air Force, National Youth Service Corps, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations and community leaders, among others.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Addressing the Drug Problem in Edo State’, the NDLEA boss said the fight against illicit drugs required the involvement of the entire society.

He said all stakeholders must “join hands, flex muscles, work together, collaborate and defeat this criminality”.

Marwa urged parents and guardians to lead by example and monitor their children, stressing the need for early intervention to prevent drug abuse and address cases among those already involved.

He said many criminal activities were linked to the use of illicit drugs.

“I am here personally to declare war against drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State. Even though the NDLEA is the lead agency in the country for the enforcement of drug laws, we cannot do it alone.

“We must, as parents, engage early and seek help for our children. There is no shame in it. This is very important for our children and for the future of our country. Each of us must play our part. When each contributes his part or her part, at the end, we know that this monster will be conquered,” he said.

Marwa said he would meet with the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Islamic Council in Benin to seek their support in sensitising worshippers and communities against drug abuse.

“Of course, I will be meeting CAN Executive and the Islamic Council here in Benin. I am going to talk to them as an important segment in our society to use their platforms to preach against drug abuse and support communities,” he added.

The NDLEA boss urged schools to establish drug-free and counselling clubs, encouraging students to report to their teachers and school heads whenever they were offered illicit drugs.

He also disclosed that he had directed members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers to stop the sale of drugs and alcohol in motor parks across the state, adding that they had agreed to comply.

Earlier, the Edo State NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the fight against drug abuse and trafficking could not be won in isolation, calling for stronger collaboration among security agencies.

Ofoyeju thanked the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for their support, noting that arrests and seizures recorded by the agency over the years would not have been possible without their cooperation.