Niger donates 3 buses to committee on drug abuse

The Niger Government has donated three buses to the Committee Against Substance Abuse and Other Related Crimes recently inaugurated by Gov Abubakar Bello, according to Mr Haruna Kwetishe, NDLEA commander in the north-central state.

Kwetishe told newsmen on Friday in Minna that the gesture would ease the fight against drugs abuse in the state.

He said that the committee had Alhaji Ahmed Ketsu, Deputy Governor, as Chairman, with representatives of the Commissioner of Police, NSCDC, NDLEA and the Department of State Services.

Also in the committee is the information commissioner, religious leaders and youth organisations.

“With the inauguration of the committee, it is expected that all hands will be on deck toward ridding the society of substance abuse in all ramifications.

“Already, the committee has started working on strategies that would ensure the arrest and prosecutions of drug dealers as well as the users.

“We have reached out to traditional and religious leaders as well as youth organisations; we want them to expose all those involved in the illegal business.”

He regretted the high use of psychotropic substances and cannabis sativa among the youths, pointing out that the menace was more common among students in secondary schools and higher institutions.

“This situation is a serious problem that should bother parents, teachers and everyone.

“The problem is enormous. The committee cannot tackle it alone. Everyone should participate by volunteering reliable information that will help us to curb this destructive menace,” he said.