…Tasks NDLEA, Security Agencies on Sustained Crackdown

The Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Delta State Council, Comr. Sagboje Odiri Milton, CLM has renewed calls for tougher anti-drug legislation in Nigeria, insisting that the time has come to consider the harshest possible penalties including capital punishment for hard-drug dealers who deliberately target young people.

Sagboje made the call on Friday in Warri at the official launch of “Warri Beyond Drugs,” an anti-drug sensitisation campaign organised by the NYCN Warri South LGA Chapter to curb the rising rate of substance abuse among youths in the metropolis.

He warned that the drug problem in Delta State has reached an alarming level, with several communities battling the spread of hard substances such as ice, loud, rohypnol and other synthetic drugs now easily accessible to young people, adding that the growing presence of drug peddlers in major towns allegedly operating under the protection of criminal networks has continued to fuel cultism, violent crime, school dropouts and mental-health crises among young people.

“Drug abuse is no longer a social issue; it is now a security emergency,” he said.
“Those who deliberately sell hard drugs to our youths are destroying futures and destabilising communities. The penalties we currently have are too mild. We must begin to consider stronger legislation that will ensure capital punishment or the highest possible sentence for notorious drug dealers.”

The Delta State Youth leader also charged the NDLEA to scale up raids on known drug hotspots across Warri, Effurun, Udu, and environs where the distribution network for synthetic drugs has expanded in recent years. He said intelligence-driven operations must be intensified and sustained. “NDLEA must not wait for public outcry before acting. They should step up surveillance, hit the drug dens consistently, and prosecute offenders fully. The era where arrested dealers return to the streets within weeks must end,”

The Deputy National Secretary of NYCN Forum of State Chairmen also called on the Nigeria Police Force, DSS and local security outfits to work more closely with the NDLEA through joint operations, intelligence sharing and rapid-response mechanisms, noting that the fight against drugs cannot be waged by one agency alone.

He commended the NYCN Warri South Chapter led by comr. Destiny Noritsegho for taking this bold step by initiating the “Warri Beyond Drugs”, an initiative that reflects true leadership, genuine concern, and a commitment to building a safer environment for our youths which forms the core value of NYCN

He paid special tribute to the Executive Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council, Comr. Agbateyiniro Weyinmi Isaac, for his consistent support for the activities of the National Youth Council noting that his encouragement, partnership, and responsiveness to youth-focused programmes remain a major strength to the council. “Warri South LGA is fortunate to have a Chairman who supports youth development and gives priority to programmes that safeguard the future of the young population,” he said.

Among those present were the State Deputy Chairman of NYCN, Comr. Okotie Omatseye Benjamin; the NYCN Gender Officer, Delta South, Comr. Azeware Kelly Ozogula; the Udu Chapter Chairman, Comr. Davis Eugene; the Okpe Chapter Chairman, Comr. Emmanuel Amarutowa; and the Uvwie Chapter Chairman, Comr. Mc BigNath.

Also in attendance were representatives of security agencies, civil-society organisations, religious groups and community leaders.

Office of the Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Delta State

NYCNDelta #Vision2ActionAgenda #WarriBeyondDrugs #renewedhope4moreyouthinitiative #Sagmilton