Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State says drug abuse is responsible for about 80 per cent of the security challenges facing the state, including violent crime and banditry. He made the remark on Thursday at a public lecture marking the 2026 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Sokoto.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Gobir, Aliyu said hard drugs were fuelling criminal activities and destroying the future of many young people. He urged youths to avoid drug abuse and trafficking, warning that the practice undermines personal development, public safety and national security.
The governor said the state had established the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Substance Abuse Control and Prevention to coordinate awareness campaigns and work with stakeholders on prevention efforts. He also pledged continued support for programmes aimed at rehabilitation and the dismantling of drug trafficking networks.
Speaking at the event, the Sokoto State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mustapha Gidado, described drug abuse as a major threat to security and public health. Participants, including security officials, students and community stakeholders, called for stronger collaboration to tackle substance abuse and related crimes.
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