The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria has pledged support to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in its war against drug abuse particularly among women and young people in Nigeria.
Led by the Country Vice President (CVP), Mrs. Amina Suzana Agbaje, FIDA Nigeria during a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd.) expressed concern over the rise in crime which is majorly influenced by drug abuse.
In her address, Mrs. Agbaje who was accompanied by delegates from Abuja and Gwagwalada branches including Ms. Chibuzo Nwosu (Chair Abuja branch) and Prof. Josephine Agbonika, SAN (Chair Gwagwalada branch) noted that “trafficking in illicit drugs and its abuse are the major causes of most social challenges in our country today. The young and the old, the boys and the girls, the men and the Women are involved in it.”
She further observed: “Cases of domestic violence, rape, murder, kidnapping, terrorism, activities of bandits and yahoo plus boys, in most cases can be traced to drug abuse. The security of the land is also in great danger because of activities that can be traced to drug trafficking and abuse. I dare say that this is destroying the fabric of our society.”
Asserting that “most of the victims of these heinous crimes who are women and children are equally within our mandate,” she disclosed that the purpose of the visit is “to appreciate and encourage you and to seek for partnership and collaboration in the areas of training, sensitisation and awareness campaigns on the provisions of the law establishing your mandate. We also shall be seeking for partnership in the area of rehabilitation and reintegration.”
FIDA Nigeria’s CVP also commended the management and staff of NDLEA for the successes recorded, particularly its recent wins in the fight against illicit drugs and trafficking in Nigeria.
In his response, Gen. Marwa in turn commended FIDA for its achievements while stressing the importance of such partnership in tackling the proliferation and menace of addictive drugs including the stigma faced by women who need rehabilitation from the wrong use of drugs. He further assured FIDA of the support of the Agency’s resource persons for future advocacy campaigns.
