Drugs fueling criminality among youths

Drugs fueling criminality among youths — NDLEA

By : Obinna Nwaoku, Port Harcourt

Date: 27 July 2024 3:28am WAT

A National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) official walks past rooms searched for evidence at a clandestine methamphetamine lab busted by the NDLEA in November in Obinugwu village in southeast Nigeria, on November 22, 2018. - With access to lucrative markets to the south and east, and aided by porous borders and corrupt law enforcement, experts warn Nigeria is fast becoming a major player in the global methamphetamine market. (Photo by STEFAN HEUNIS / AFP)

• Group Raises Alarm As Niger Delta Crisis Deepens

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has expressed concern over the rising trend of drug use among yout2hs, stating that it is a significant contributor to criminal behaviour.

Meanwhile, a non-governmental organisation, Search for Common Ground, Nigeria, has urged the government to intensify efforts to address criminality in the Niger Delta region. The organisation’s State Level Peace Architecture (SPA) project in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States has shown promising results, but more needs to be done to tackle the issue.

The NDLEA’s warning comes as the Niger Delta region continues to grapple with high levels of criminality, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and cultism. The agency’s concerns highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of criminal behavior, including drug use.

This was discussed during the maiden meeting in Port Harcourt on Community-centred Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta tagged “Fostering Inclusive Community Security Approaches to Address Systemic Drivers of Violence and Criminality” which was organised by SCG, PIND, EU, SDN and AAPW.