The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has attributed the rising cases of terrorism and banditry to the use of illicit drugs in Nigeria.
Mohammed made this statement on Thursday while agreeing to partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to launch a national campaign against drug trafficking and illicit use of drugs in the country.
The Minister who further emphasized the need to curb the spread on the use of drugs, explained that the money recovered from the sales of drugs could be used in funding terrorism.
While expressing disappointment that many of these traffickers end up becoming role models to young people, he commended the NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa, for his contribution in fighting the menace.
“War against illicit drugs and tackling drug trafficking is one of the most important tasks in Nigeria today, considering that drug trafficking, money laundering by traffickers and the use of illicit drugs are closely linked to the nation’s security, well-being of the citizens, the moral fabric of the society and even governance.
“It is common knowledge that drug money can be used to finance insurgency and terrorism. A successful fight against drug trafficking will therefore help to deny or reduce funding for insurgency.
“The kind of vicious banditry and kidnapping for ransom that our country has witnessed in recent times cannot be totally separated from illicit drug use and their effects on users who take to crime,” he said.
Responding, Marwa thanked the Minister for his contribution in ensuring order in the society, and sought the collaboration of sister agencies to launch a nationwide public sensitization on drug demand reduction drive through advocacy programmes in the media.
