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“The Link Between Drug Abuse and Crime Cannot Be Overemphasized” — Experts Warn at Plateau Workshop
Experts have raised fresh concerns over the growing relationship between drug abuse and violent crime in Plateau State, warning that the trend is eroding governance and security at the grassroots.
This was the focus of a one-day workshop themed “Impact of Drug Abuse on Local Governance” held on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025, at Crispan Event and Suites, Jos. The program was organized by the Sound Minds Medical and Rehabilitation Initiative (SOMMRI) in collaboration with the Plateau State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and marked the conclusion of a series that had earlier covered the Southern and Central zones of the state.
Stakeholders in attendance included members of the Plateau Youth Council (PYC), religious leaders, directors of health and social services, council secretaries, and traditional rulers. Discussions centered on the far-reaching implications of drug abuse on youth development, insecurity, and community governance.
The Drug Situation in Plateau State and Beyond
Nurse Ndak Zuhumnan Andarawus, popularly known as Nurse Kizito and Program Manager for Plateau State Malaria Eradication, who also serves as a volunteer with SOMMRI, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the state of drug use in Nigeria and Plateau.
He explained that psychoactive substances such as cocaine, tramadol, oxalopin, cortin, elok, and cannabis affect brain function, altering behavior and decision-making. Citing statistics, he said that globally, about 247 million people used psychoactive substances at least once in 2014, with 28 million suffering from drug use disorders. In Nigeria, one in every seven persons aged 15–64 is involved in drug abuse, with Plateau State ranking second only to Kano in prevalence.
He noted that in Jos, “jungles” where drugs are freely consumed now exist in almost every community, posing risks to residents. “The link between drug abuse and crime cannot be overemphasized. Many perpetrators of violent crimes confess they could not have carried out such acts without drugs,” he stressed.
Link Between Drugs and Insecurity
Kizito further explained that hard drugs embolden criminals and armed groups, wiping away their inhibitions and conscience. He recounted findings by researchers that many inmates convicted of violent crimes admitted to committing offences under the influence of drugs.
“The cries from communities about rising drug abuse, crime, and youth delinquency informed this collaboration with the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. We invited those who work directly with the grassroots—district heads, directors of primary health care and social services, and youth leaders—to find solutions together,” he added.
Expert Perspectives on Drug Abuse
Other facilitators at the workshop included Clinical Psychologist Mafai Dauboyi, who highlighted family risk factors such as poor parenting, early exposure to alcohol, and lack of supervision, while underscoring the role of protective factors like positive role models, structured activities, and strong community values.
Consultant Psychiatrist Prof. Nwoga Charles of the University of Jos grouped drugs into stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and alcohol, detailing their destructive health and social impacts. “Addiction is not just a health issue but a social and spiritual one. Companies profit while communities pay the price in productivity, health, and lives lost. We need treatment centers across Plateau State, not just conversations,” he urged, noting that the state currently lacks government-owned rehabilitation centers.
Governance and Community Impact
Pharmacist Gyang Samuel Ishaya, Executive Secretary of Jos North Local Government Council, described the workshop as timely, stressing that drug abuse has become the central challenge facing youth in the area. “Our problem in Jos North is not about ethnicity or religion—it is drugs. This program helps us build synergy with traditional rulers, NDLEA, and communities to confront the menace,” he said.
Rt. Hon. Aseno Amos, Speaker of the Plateau Youth Council, echoed the need for sustained awareness. “Most of those in rehabilitation centers are youths who should be in schools or at work. Drug abuse is crippling our manpower and fueling crime. We need more of these engagements, alongside job creation and private sector opportunities to keep young people productive,” he emphasized.
Faith and Traditional Leaders Weigh In
Traditional rulers and religious leaders, including representatives of CAN and JNI, decried the accessibility of harmful substances despite regulatory labels and called for synergy among councils, security agencies, and faith institutions. They further urged the revival of youth-focused activities such as debates, quizzes, and cultural events to provide healthy alternatives.
Resolutions and Way Forward
Participants unanimously called for stronger by-laws at the local government level, more powers and resources for the NDLEA, unbiased enforcement of drug-related policies, and the establishment of treatment and prevention centers in Plateau State.
The workshop concluded with the administration of questionnaires to participants, with organizers assuring that all feedback would shape ongoing policy reforms and government plans for drug prevention and rehabilitation.
USA-based sprinter Blessing Ogundiran overcame travel disruptions and an exhausting four-day journey from the United States to emerge as Nigeria’s fastest woman after winning the women’s 100m title at the Commonwealth Games Trials in Lagos on Monday.
Competing at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex, Ogundiran produced a brilliant run of 11.12 seconds (-0.5m/s) to claim victory in a highly competitive final and secure the national crown.
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The newly crowned champion revealed after the race that her preparation for the event was far from ideal, having endured a lengthy trip caused by weather-related challenges in the United States.
“It was a tough time getting here after traveling for almost four days due to what happened in the US (storm), but I am grateful to God that I am going back with the title,” Ogundiran said.
She added that the advice from her coach before the race played a key role in helping her stay composed under pressure.
“When I was at the start block, I was thinking of what my coach told me—that I should just execute my race and not panic—and that was exactly what I did.”
Ogundiran was pushed all the way by the impressive Miracle Ezechukwu, who clocked a personal best of 11.15 seconds to finish second.
Her performance also earned her qualification for the Ben Aghazu Excellence in Athletics Prize, an initiative established to reward outstanding performances by home-based athletes.
Another USA-based sprinter, Olayinka Olajide, completed the podium places with a time of 11.28 seconds.
Ezechukwu’s remarkable run received special praise from Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Second Vice President, Akuchukwu Aghazu, the initiator of the Excellence in Athletics Prize.
“This is exactly what the Excellence in Athletics Prize was created to achieve – to inspire our athletes to push beyond limits and believe in their abilities,” Aghazu said.
“Seeing Miracle Ezechukwu achieve the benchmark with a personal best performance is rewarding. It shows that when athletes are given motivation and a platform to compete, they respond positively.”
Aghazu reiterated her commitment to supporting athletes based in Nigeria and hailed the overall quality of competition on display.
“Our home-based athletes are incredibly talented. They deserve recognition, encouragement and opportunities to excel.
The Excellence in Athletics Prize is about celebrating hard work, dedication and excellence, and today’s performances have justified that vision.”
Elsewhere, Olympian Chukwuebuka Enekwechi claimed the men’s shot put title with a throw of 21.46m, securing the national crown for the fifth consecutive time since representing Nigeria, while Oyesade Oyetayo won the men’s hammer throw with 65.07m.
The men’s 100m competition also gathered momentum, with Favour Ashe, Chidera Ezeakor, Fakorede Adekalu, Tejiri Godwin, and Enoch Adegoke all progressing to Tuesday’s semifinals and final after winning their respective heats.
In the 400m semifinals, top contenders including Patience Okon-George, IyanuOluwa Aderemi (51.86s PB), Taiwo Kudoro, Faith Ezechukwu, Jecinter Lawrence, and Becky Ebiyadi booked places in the women’s final.
In the men’s category, Emmanuel Ojeli, Sikiru Adeyemi, Victor Sampson, Samson Nathaniel, Victory Achakpoekri, and Tyler Johnson advanced to the final.
The final day of the trials will feature the men’s and women’s 200m finals, the 400m finals, as well as the 100m and 110m hurdles events.
The event attracted several athletics legends and stakeholders, including Mary Onyali, Solomon Ogba, Chief Malik Itiako Ikpokpo, Hameed Adio, Gloria Obajimi and Emilia Edet, who witnessed another memorable chapter in Nigeria’s growing athletics resurgence.
BY SUNDAY SAMUEL—The Ondo State Police Command under the proactive leadership of CP Felix Ohagwu psc, mnips, mspsp has successfully foiled two separate kidnap attempts in Owo Local Government Area of the State, rescuing all victims involved and forcing the fleeing criminals to abandon their mission following swift and coordinated security operations.
The incidents, which occurred within a few hours of each other on Sunday, 21st June, 2026, underscore the Command’s proactive operational readiness and the effectiveness of ongoing efforts aimed at combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across the State.
The first incident occurred at about 7:05 p.m. when the Police received a distress call indicating that a six-man armed kidnapping gang had stormed the residence of Pastor Taiwo Taiwo, Chairman of Ojana New Area, Owo, with the intention of abducting him. Acting promptly on the information, the Divisional Police Officer, B Division, Owo, mobilized and led a patrol team to the scene.
Upon arrival, the operatives encountered the armed assailants, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The superior tactical response and determination of the Police operatives forced the criminals to retreat into the surrounding bush, abandoning their plan. The intended victim and his family members were successfully rescued unharmed and subsequently relocated to a safer location for enhanced security and protection.
In a related development later that same night, at about 11:10 p.m., another armed gang attacked one Daniel Ologun, a 39-year-old resident of Gbegun Community along Alhaja Camp, off Housing Estate, Owo. During the attack, the victim sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg while the assailants forcefully took his wife, Mrs. Taibat Ologun, aged 34 years, and their two young children, aged four and two years respectively, into the bush.
Upon receiving information about the incident, the Police immediately launched a rescue operation. The rapid deployment of operatives and sustained pressure mounted on the fleeing kidnappers disrupted their movement and compelled them to abandon the Mr Daniel Ologun. In a coordinated search-and-rescue effort involving the Police and personnel of the Nigerian Army, Mrs. Ologun and her two children were later successfully rescued unhurt from the assailants who escaped with gunshot injurieat about 1:50 a.m.
The injured victim was promptly taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, where he is currently receiving medical attention and responding positively to treatment.
Meanwhile, joint security teams comprising Police operatives and military personnel have intensified bush-combing operations in the affected areas and adjoining forests with a view to apprehending the fleeing suspects and dismantling any criminal hideouts within the axis. Efforts are ongoing to track down all members of the criminal gangs involved in the attacks and bring them to justice.
CP Felix Ohagwu, psc, mnips, mspsp, has directed that the rescued victims be immediately debriefed to obtain additional information that may assist ongoing investigations and intelligence-gathering efforts aimed at identifying and apprehending the fleeing suspects. Afterwhich all rescued victims be reunited with their families while ensuring that necessary security measures are put in place for their continued safety and well-being.
The CP commends the bravery and swift response of the operatives involved in both operations, as well as the support of the Nigerian Army and members of the public who provided timely information that aided the successful rescue missions.
The post Ondo Police Foil Two Kidnap Attempts in Owo, Rescue Victims and Family Members appeared first on Business Today NG.
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