- Laments Upsurge in Drug Abuse
By Ayomide Joseph
A former Nigerian Senator of Bayelsa State origin, Senator Ben Murray Bruce has revealed that a substantial portion of the kidnapping and violent crimes occurring nationwide is a consequence of drug-induced activities. This assertion comes in the midst of a surge in kidnapping incidents across the country, including the Federal Capital Territory(FCT).
According to data sourced from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), over 380 individuals werey kidnapped between December 1, 2023, and January 3, 2024, spanning Nigeria under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The victims, which include men, women, farmers, children, and students, were taken hostage during various events in the last month of 2023 and the first week of the new year, signaling an escalation in kidnapping cases.
The affected states encompass Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, FCT, Kaduna, Kastina, Kogi, Lagos, Nassarawa, Ogun, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Zamfara. Reports indicate that residents of Abuja experienced a rise in kidnapping activities towards the end of 2023, with the trend continuing into the new year.
Particularly impacted was the Bwari area council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where three housing estates were attacked, leading to the abduction of about 30 occupants. Simultaneously, seven individuals from the Arab Road residential area in Kubwa town were also kidnapped. Since the beginning of 2024, numerous residents in the FCT have reportedly become victims of abductions.
In his Common Sense Series, the former lawmaker expressed apprehension about the growing prevalence of substance abuse among Nigerian youths. Murray Bruce attributed the upswing in drug-related crimes to the ready availability of hard drugs, stressing that this issue is no longer limited to urban areas but has permeated rural communities across the country.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, he remarked, “In recent times, there has been a concerning increase in substance abuse among young people in Nigeria, with devastating effects on the individuals involved, their families, and society at large.” Murray Bruce argued that many kidnappings and violent crimes are committed to sustain individuals’ addiction to these substances.
Drawing attention to specific regions, he mentioned that in Northern Nigeria, unconventional materials such as glue and bones from skeletons are now used to create illicit mind-altering substances. In Southern Nigeria, the Lekki axis, particularly the Lekki area in Lagos, has been identified by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as a hotspot for drug-related activities, affecting both affluent and less privileged members of the community.
Murray Bruce called on the federal government to urgently address the growing issue of substance abuse among Nigerian youths. Additionally, he revealed plans to launch a campaign compelling the government to declare a state of emergency on drug abuse.
