Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has said drug abuse is responsible for about 80 per cent of the security challenges confronting the state, describing the menace as one of the greatest threats to the future of young people and the development of society.

The governor stated this on Thursday at a public lecture organised to commemorate the 2026 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking held at the Auditorium of Sultan Maccido Institute for Qur’an and General Studies, Sokoto.

In March 2026, the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) said about 14.3 million Nigerians are involved in drug use, with youths accounting for a significant proportion of those affected.

The foundation described the trend as a national emergency, requiring urgent and coordinated intervention from government and other stakeholders.

However, represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Gobir, Governor Aliyu said hard drugs were largely responsible for violent crimes and banditry across the state.

“The security challenges bedevilling our state are 80 per cent contributed by hard drugs. These people are taking serious hard drugs. No human being in his normal sense would look at another human being and take his life,” he said.

According to him, drug abuse destroys families, deprives young people of their potential, contributes to criminal activities and poses serious health and social risks.

“We want you to become presidents, ministers, governors and chairmen of important companies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But you cannot achieve that if you engage in drug abuse and drug trafficking,” he said.

The governor expressed concern over the growing threat of illicit drug trafficking, saying it fuels organised crime and undermines national and international security.

He said many bandits and violent criminals commit atrocities because they are under the influence of narcotics.

“These people can enter a village, shoot innocent people and even burn down entire communities without remorse. Such actions are against our religion and humanity. Drug abuse is more dangerous than many people think,” he added.

Aliyu said the fight against drug abuse could not be left to law enforcement agencies alone, stressing the need for collective action involving parents, teachers, religious and traditional leaders, civil society organisations, healthcare professionals, community leaders and the media.

He disclosed that the state government had established the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Substance Abuse Control and Prevention to coordinate awareness campaigns, collaborate with stakeholders involved in drug control and carry out sensitisation programmes across communities and local government areas.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at preventing drug abuse, rehabilitating affected persons and dismantling criminal networks engaged in illicit drug trafficking.

He commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its sustained efforts in combating drug abuse and trafficking and called on all stakeholders to unite in safeguarding the future of young people and building a healthier and safer society.

Earlier, the State Commander of the NDLEA, Mustapha Gidado, described drug abuse as a major threat not only to security but also to the health and well-being of society.

He thanked the Sokoto State Government for its continued support to the agency and expressed hope that the collaboration would be sustained.

In his presentation titled “NDLEA and Public Perception,” the Coordinator of the Centre for Sensitization Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Alhaji Abdulrazak Shehu, said drug abuse has devastating consequences and contributes significantly to violent crimes in society.

He noted that beyond arrests and prosecutions, the NDLEA also provides treatment and rehabilitation services for drug users.

Shehu said some public perceptions about the agency were inaccurate, including the belief that it focuses only on enforcement.

He advocated stricter penalties for drug traffickers and dealers and urged government officials to regularly visit NDLEA rehabilitation centres to encourage efforts aimed at treating and reintegrating affected persons.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria in Sokoto State, Dr. Aminu Ahmad Nyako, warned that drug abuse is capable of destroying every part of the human body and derailing the future of users.

“Drugs have a way of killing dreams,” he said.

The event was attended by students from various educational institutions, heads of security agencies and other stakeholders.