From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amb. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, has made a strong case for increased funding, ultramodern equipment, and upgraded infrastructure for the nation’s anti-narcotics and security agencies to effectively combat rising criminality.
Amb. Bande, who is the current District Head of Besse in Kebbi State, argued that these frontline agencies have performed diligently despite severe logistical constraints and deserve enhanced routine training and better staff incentives to maximize their operational impact.
He spoke over the weekend in Sokoto during a one-day brainstorming session organized by the Sokoto Advancement Forum (SAF) in collaboration with the Centre for Peace Studies at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), aimed at tackling youth drug abuse.
Highlighting the direct link between narcotics and the nation’s security crises, the veteran diplomat warned that drug abuse fuels broader criminal networks.
“The drug menace spares no family, society, or community.
“There is a direct connection between drug abuse, banditry, kidnapping, and other social ills.
“ Even political activities and religious preachings have sometimes been weaponized to aggravate this menace,” Amb. Bande stated.
Corroborating his views, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi, noted that a drug-infested youth population cannot provide leadership for the future, reaffirming the traditional institution’s commitment to eradicating the scourge.
On his part, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, speaking through the agency’s Director of Prevention and Sensitization, Dr. Shehu Dankolo, stressed that law enforcement cannot win the battle alone.
He appealed for collective community intelligence to expose traffickers and hot spots.
Earlier, the Chairman of SAF, Amb. Ahmed Muhammad Wali, represented by his deputy, Prof. Riskuwa Arabu Shehu, explained that the non-partisan forum has developed a comprehensive 5-year strategic blueprint (2026–2031) to drive Sokoto’s development across eleven critical sectors, including public service, education, and security.
The Vice-Chancellor of UDUS, Prof. Bashir Garba (represented by Prof. Zayyannu Umar), and the VC of Shehu Shagari University of Education, Prof. Malami Umar Tambuwal (represented by Fatima Abubakar Gidadawa), both commended SAF’s foresight, warning that the drug crisis is wrecking unimaginable havoc on families and robbing communities of their brightest talents.
