By TINA TIMOTHY

WAANSA Nigeria has appealed to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to involve religious leaders in rehabilitation of drug victims. This, according to the coalition of civil society groups, will assist to regulate their behaviours and inculcate moralities needed to modify them positively.

In a press statement to mark the 2022 United Nations Day Against Drugs and Illicit Trafficking, on Sunday, June 26, signed by its President, Temitope Lamidi, Director, Media and Advocacy, Igwe Martin and Secretary, Organising Committee, Yusuf Ardo, WAANSA Nigeria passed ‘vote of confidence on the NDLEA Chairman, General Buba Marwa, as the coalition called on youths, women, traditional rulers, politicians and International communities to support the agency in its bid to eradicate drug abuse and consequently, address insecurity.

The statement reads: “Having evaluated the activities of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in recent times, the general assembly of WAANSA Nigeria which comprises of tens of Civil Society groups working for peace in Nigeria, with special consideration to eliminating illegal proliferation of small arms and light weapons, passes Vote of confidence on the General Buba Marw-lead NDLEA as we kick-start national mobilization to appreciate the agency and expand the advocacy against drug abuse to more states and border communities.

“As we join the International community to observe this year's day against drug abuse and illicit Trafficking with the Theme: “Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises,” Waansa Nigeria appeals to NDLEA to integrate Religious leaders to complimenting their effort in rehabilitate drug victims. Religious leaders are in a good position to regulate their behaviours and inculcate moralities needed to modify them positively. Doing that will be a practical way to strengthen action and co-operation which remain the intention of the United Nations.

“Finally Waansa Nigeria appeals to youth, women, traditional rulers, politicians and International communities to support NDLEA as elimination of drug abuse have direct impact towards addressing security challenges bedeviling our country.

“All stakeholders in project Nigeria must realise that we need a peaceful polity that can guarantee election and transfer of power come 2023. Hence the need for all Nigerians to say no to drugs.”