NDLEA Raises Alarm Over High Rate Of Drug Abuse In Plateau

Plateau State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has described the rate of drug abuse among youths in the state as alarming.

Mrs Ene Akuh, officer in charge of Operations at the agency, spoke during a sensitisation training, organised by Nigeria Youth Network on Countering Violent Extremism (NYNCVE) for youth leaders in Jos.

Akuh, who urged youths to desist from taking illicit drugs, called on community and religious leaders to support government in ensuring that the menace of drug abuse in the general society, was brought to an end.

In his remarks, State Focal Person of NYNCVE, Mr Jacob Pwakim, said the aim of the training was to build capacity of young people who would take action against violent extremism in the communities.

He said youths were usually the most hit when violence erupted, hence the need to educate them in ensuring an end to violence in the society.

“Over time, we have experienced incessant violent protests where young people were used to take the lives of people in the society.

“We can’t fold our arms and see the population of young people who ought to be leaders of tomorrow depleting. This is why the network decided to organise this sensitisation.

“Our target is to build structure of young people who will take action against violent extremism at the community level,” Pwakim noted.

The training supported by Search for Common Ground and Youth Initiative Against Violence and Human Right Abuse (YIAVHA), drew participants from Jenta Adamu and Rikkos communities in Jos North LGA.

A ten-man committee was set up to curb violence, extremism in the communities.

The network was formed from a youth summit against violence extremism held in Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital in 2016.

Plateau had witnessed various forms of violence that left scores killed or displaced.