Rising Drug Abuse Fuels Terrorism, Crime in Northern Nigeria – CNG

The Students’ Wing of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has raised alarm over the growing menace of drug abuse and trafficking, warning that the trend is increasingly fueling terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities across Northern Nigeria.

The group, which operates across the 19 states of the region, said the persistent spread of illicit drugs poses a serious threat to peace, security and the future of the North.

Speaking at a public lecture on Wednesday in Maiduguri, Borno State, the National Coordinator of the CNG, Alhaji Jamilu Aliyu, attributed the rising drug abuse among students to the failure of homes and schools to instil strong moral values.

Aliyu noted that although all major religions in the country strongly prohibit drug use, abuse of illicit substances continues to rise annually, especially among youths.

He cited a recent operation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano, where over five million tablets of tramadol were seized, describing the development as “deeply alarming,” particularly among young people and women.

According to him, moral decadence has pushed many youths into the consumption of illegal drugs such as Indian hemp, skunk and other harmful substances, warning that addiction now threatens the future of the entire Northern region.

Aliyu stressed that drug abuse among students has become a major driver of insecurity and criminal activities, urging stakeholders to confront the problem urgently.

Chairman of the public lecture, Alhaji Bulama Mai Gubio, represented by the Chairman of Gubio Local Government Area, Hon. Mali Bulama Gubio, said the North could not achieve meaningful development if youths continued to abuse drugs such as cocaine and Indian hemp.

He added that older generations had struggled to resolve the problem, calling on young people to take responsibility and lead positive change in their communities.

The lecture, themed “Building Responsible Students’ Leadership,” focused on curbing drug abuse, thuggery, extremism, hate speech and campus violence through mentorship and value reorientation.

A retired military officer, Major Abiya Mohammed (rtd.), who addressed students from the University of Maiduguri, the College of Health Technology and other institutions, urged them to embrace discipline, integrity and positive leadership.

He warned that campuses nationwide were witnessing increasing cases of drug abuse, cultism, examination malpractice and hate speech, stressing the need for students to adopt sound values to safeguard their future.