The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has put the number of hard drug users in the country at 15 million.
NDLEA newly appointed chairman, Brig-Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), said this in Abuja on Monday when he assumed duty.
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He warned drug barons and traffickers to quit the illicit trade or face hard times.
He said: “This development where drug use has eaten very deep into the nation’s social fabric.
“Over 15 million Nigerians of all ages are now hooked on drugs.
“It is the task of NDLEA to stop all this unacceptable nonsense of drug abuse in Nigeria.
“Together, by the grace of God, we’ll resuscitate and reposition NDLEA to full active life, to be effective, respected and feared by the concerned criminals.
“Nigeria is the only country we have; we cannot fold our arms. We can, will, and must eliminate the drug scourge.”
He said the NDLEA would be overhauled and expanded in line with the Presidential Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA) recommendations, existing financial constraints, and the authorisation of the appropriate superior authorities.
Marwa, who had till last December chaired the PACEDA.
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