The Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kwara State, Hajia Fatima Abiola-Popoola, has proposed that universities should implement mandatory drug tests on candidates as part of their admission process for new university intakes.
She explained that this measure would act as a preventive step, offering early intervention and counseling for students who may already be using drugs, thus helping to prevent more serious drug dependency issues.
Speaking yesterday at an interactive session with journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, where she expressed concern over the increasing number of drug users in Nigeria, particularly among women, Abiola-Poopola warned that this growing trend poses significant risks to families and society as a whole.
“According to a 2018 survey, 14.3 million people were using drugs in Nigeria. One out of every seven persons in the country is a drug user, and it also revealed that one out of four drug users is a woman. This is alarming because women are typically the administrators of the home. When women start abusing drugs, it signals serious trouble for society,” she lamented.
Abiola-Popoola emphasized the importance of collaboration with traditional rulers in combating drug trafficking and abuse, stating that the success of this fight hinges on the support of these key stakeholders within the traditional institutions.
“Traditional rulers hold significant influence over their communities. Their words often carry the weight of law among their people, who hold them in high esteem. This influence makes them crucial allies in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse. We have been working with traditional rulers for years as part of our strategy to involve stakeholders in society. When these leaders take a stand against drug traffickers, their communities are likely to follow suit,” she said.
She also referenced the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, launched in 2021 by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, which emphasized community mobilization led by traditional rulers. “When WADA was launched, all traditional rulers were represented because their leadership is key to mobilizing communities against drug abuse,” she added.
Abiola-Popoola urged traditional rulers to remain vigilant within their communities by placing trusted individuals in strategic positions to gather information about drug activities. She encouraged them to contact the NDLEA when necessary to address drug-related issues promptly.
The NDLEA commander also expressed her gratitude to the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, for his ongoing support of the agency’s efforts in the state.
“The Emir of Ilorin has assured us of his full cooperation. He even promised that other traditional leaders in Kwara State will support our initiatives. It’s crucial for us to inform communities before we take action, and we are truly grateful to the Emir for his support,” she said.
