Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, has suggested that the effects of drug abuse in the country was worse than acts of insecurity and banditry.
President Buhari made the comment on Saturday at the launch of War Against Drug Abuse at the State House in Abuja, held in commemoration of the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
The President directed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to develop a robust community engagement strategy, as well as destroy cannabis plantation and production sites of criminals within the forests, particularly in the South-West and South-South.
He was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
At the launch event, NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, also lamented the pervasive abuse of cannabis among Nigerians.
According to him, about 10.6 million Nigerians are actively abusing the substance, ranking the country the highest user of cannabis globally, a trend which has contributed to the insecurity in the country.
