Drug war: Youth group backs Marwa, seeks partnership with NDLEA

The Leaders of Arewa Youth Forum, (AYF) have expressed support for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and seek to partner with it in its offensive action against illicit drugs.

The National President, AYF, Alhaji Gambo Gujungu, said this during a courtesy visit to the NDLEA’s headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja.

Gujungu, according to a statement by the Agency’s Director Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, said that the Northern youths decided to support the war against drugs, as young Nigerians were becoming high consumers of narcotics.

According to him, the Arewa Youth Forum seeks ways to partner with the Agency in the advocacy and fight against drugs.

“This is going to be with special focus at treatment and after care, family and parenting, community, school systems, advocacy and sensitization to all groups.

“This will be through traditional institutions, religious bodies, media, NGOs, CSOs, state and local governments, among others,” he said.

Gujungu said that he was equally at the agency to present their concept note on their proposed  ‘Arewa Youth Forum Drug Free Community Project’ (AYF-DFCP).

He said that the project, targeted at six pilot states of Kaduna, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kano and Katsina, would serve as another expansion of its activities among over 10,000 youths.

These, he said, were areas where the group had implemented the conflict mitigation and peace building project, which was funded by the US Department of State, Abuja.

“We are hopeful that the program will not only eliminate drugs sale and intake but shall create a way through which participants in the project will have ways to economic engagement and livelihood,” he said.

In his response, the Chairman, NDLEA, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, described AYF as a youth group he had known soon after he left Lagos as military administrator.

Marwa said that it was a  reputable, sincere and committed body that meant well for the youths in the North and the entire country.

He said that the issue of drug scourge was in the front burner in the country, describing it as one that does not discriminate between North and South, youths and adults.

“Unless we stand up collectively, this problem may put us under,” he said.

Marwa reassured the group that the drug menace was not beyond redemption or a hopeless situation.

He commended the youths for their efforts and initiative, promising that the agency would partner with them.