The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has called for tougher action against drug traffickers and increased support for people struggling with drug dependence, saying drug abuse poses a serious threat to society.
“We must punish those who profit from drugs. We must also treat those who have become trapped by them. The dealer needs the law. The dependent person needs care,” Abbas said.
He added, “The government is present. The law is active. The public must also participate.”
The Speaker spoke on Saturday at the close of a three-day sensitisation programme on drug abuse and domestic violence in Kaduna.
The programme, organised in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), formed part of Abbas’ constituency outreach.
He said tackling drug abuse required a coordinated effort involving families, schools, communities and law enforcement agencies.
“Parents must watch for sudden changes in conduct. Schools must provide counselling and report warning signs. Pharmacists and medicine vendors must reject the unlawful sale of controlled substances.
“Traditional and religious leaders must reject silence around addiction and abuse. Neighbours must report violence. Market and transport unions must report suspicious movement of drugs. Young people must reject pressure and seek help when needed.
“Victims should seek safety, obtain medical care, preserve evidence, and report abuse. Communities must protect them, not punish them with blame or shame,” he said.
Abbas linked drug trafficking to Nigeria’s wider security challenges, particularly banditry and kidnapping in the North-West.
“Drugs can impair judgement, increase aggression, and deepen poverty. But drugs never excuse violence. Every person remains responsible for his or her actions. Domestic violence is not discipline or culture. It is abuse. It harms the victim, frightens children, and weakens the community,” he said.
He added that drug trafficking provides criminal networks with funds and could facilitate the movement of other illicit commodities and criminal elements.
“The damage caused by drugs does not stop at the family door. It spreads into our streets, schools, markets, and security system. Drug trafficking gives criminal networks money. The same hidden routes can carry drugs, illegal weapons, criminal funds, and violent offenders.
“Drugs do not explain every crime, but they are part of Nigeria’s wider security challenge,” he said.
According to the Speaker, disrupting drug supply chains is therefore an important part of the fight against violent crime.
“Every shipment stopped can deny criminals money for weapons and recruitment,” he said, adding that “every person rescued from addiction is one less person exposed to violent groups.”
Abbas said drug control must form part of broader security efforts in the North-West, where communities continue to face banditry and kidnapping.
“Security forces may clear the camps. Communities must help cut the supply lines.
“Enforcement stops the shipment. Education reduces the demand. Treatment restores the individual. Community vigilance protects the neighbourhood,” he said.
The Speaker recalled that the previous edition of the programme, held in February 2025, preceded a four-month campaign across the North-West.
“We promised to take the message beyond conference halls. We promised to engage traditional rulers, religious leaders, teachers, parents, young people, and community organisations,” he said.
Abbas said Saturday’s programme demonstrated that the commitment had been sustained, noting that NOA had taken the campaign into Kaduna’s streets and communities.
He said NOA officers had been engaging market leaders, transport workers, youth groups and traditional institutions, “because prevention begins with proper information.”
He commended the Director-General of NOA, Lanre Issa Onilu, and his team for their efforts, while also appreciating the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service, National Youth Service Corps and relevant state agencies.
Abbas also commended President Bola Tinubu for retaining Brigadier-General Mohammed Marwa (rtd.) as NDLEA Director-General and supporting enforcement, international cooperation, public education and treatment initiatives, including a new 50-bed rehabilitation centre in Maiduguri.
He said the National Assembly had also taken steps to strengthen Nigeria’s response to drug abuse and related violence.
“The National Assembly has consistently played its part. In 2024, the House called for a preventive drug testing programme in secondary schools and directed NOA and NDLEA to expand student awareness.
“The House also moved against the indiscriminate sale of prescription medicines. We called for illegal outlets to close and for stronger joint enforcement by the responsible agencies. We have considered bills to strengthen the NDLEA Act. In 2025, the House called for faster investigation and prosecution of femicide, homicide, and related violence.
“We will continue to fund enforcement and treatment, close gaps in the law, and demand results through oversight. The Speaker urged Nigerians to play their part in preventing drug abuse, tackling domestic violence and protecting vulnerable members of society,” he said.
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