The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, has called for collective action, including from families, religious bodies, and community leaders, to mitigate substance abuse, cultism, and banditry among Nigerian youths.
Marwa made the call while speaking at a seminar organised by the Ijebu Ode Council of Olorituns in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Saturday, August 9, 2025.
The event was themed “Dangers of Drug Abuse, Cultism and Banditry Among Youths”.
In his keynote address, the NDLEA boss emphasised that collective responsibility must be embraced by all stakeholders to curb the menace of these interlinked social vices.
He lamented that the triple threat of cult-related violence, rampant abuse of drugs and illicit substances, and the challenge of banditry across various regions is a reality that must be dealt with decisively.
“While these issues may appear distinct, they are intricately connected, feeding one another in a cycle of destruction that must be broken if our society is to thrive. Cultism, once largely confined to tertiary institutions, has insidiously spread into secondary schools and neighbourhoods. What began as secret gatherings has transformed into violent confraternities, often manipulated by political or criminal interests.
“These groups lure young people, often under the guise of brotherhood, protection or empowerment, into a world of fear, violence and premature death. Tragically, the hands of many of our youth have been stained with the blood of their peers, all for false promises of belonging and power.
“It is projected that the number of people using drugs will increase by 40% in Africa. When they say Africa, I want us to think of Nigeria, because Nigeria has one of the highest drug use prevalences in the world,” he stated.
Despite the projection by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Marwa acknowledged that all hope is not lost. “As a nation and as communities, we still possess the power to reverse this trend.
“The first step is collective responsibility. Parents, religious institutions, traditional rulers, educational authorities and community leaders must rise with one voice against these vices. The family unit must be strengthened as the first point of moral instruction, while schools should be safe spaces that promote discipline, mentorship and awareness.”
Marwa continued: “We must also invest in youth development by creating opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and sports. Idle hands, as we know, are the devil’s workshop. When our young people find purpose and meaning, they are less likely to seek false validation from cults or drugs.”
He commended the Council of Oloritun for organising the seminar and choosing a timely and relevant theme.
“Your commitment to community and youth development is clear, and I encourage other councils across Nigeria to emulate this initiative. Let us rise as one people to rescue our children, secure our streets and restore the values that once defined our land,” he added.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Council, Chief Adebisi Adeola Alausa, expressed gratitude to Marwa for accepting the Council’s invitation.
Chief Alausa said: “Your presence today reflects our shared commitment to safeguarding the future of our community and our nation. We are gathered here not merely as individuals, but as a united front, as traditional leaders, government officials, parents, educators, and most importantly, our youths, to confront challenges that threaten the very fabric of our society. The issues we address today, the drug abuse, cultism, and banditry, are not distant problems.”
Similarly, Chairman of the occasion, Senator Lekan Mustapha, praised Marwa’s visionary leadership, referencing his track record as military governor of both Borno and Lagos States, and his transformation of NDLEA into a respected institution both locally and internationally.
“That you honoured our invitation shows your passion for the job, the safety and protection of our youths from drug and other vices,” Senator Mustapha noted.
