By Florencemary Nwabueze

Stakeholders at a three-day workshop organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos have called for stronger synergy among security institutions in the fight against drug abuse, warning that no single agency can win the battle alone.

The workshop, themed Drug Use Prevention Education for Security Leaders: Building Drug-Free Workplaces, held in the Ikeja area of Lagos and drew security personnel from the military, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), among others.

Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Mrs Funmi Omotosho, described the workshop as timely, noting that drug abuse remained one of the most persistent challenges confronting individuals, workplaces and the larger society.

“Its impact on workplace efficiency and national security cannot be ignored. Addressing drug abuse requires a united effort involving government agencies, security institutions, civil society, families and communities. Prevention, education and advocacy are just as important as enforcement,” she said.

Founder and Executive Director of the Global Initiative on Substance Abuse (GISA), Dr Martin Aigwogie, stressed that tackling the menace was a collective responsibility. He commended the NDLEA for extending the training to law enforcement and security agencies, saying they needed to understand risk factors peculiar to their environment.

“It requires collaboration. Including people from other sectors, they need to come together to address this issue and reverse the trend, because it is indeed a threat to public health and national safety,” Aigwogie said.

Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), represented by Zonal Commander, Zone ‘A’, ACGN Aniete Nse-Jack, urged participants to treat drug abuse as a shared responsibility, noting that the menace cuts across families and communities, affecting children, siblings and colleagues “often in unexpected ways.”

Marwa, who linked drug abuse to insecurity, warned that Nigeria had transitioned from a transit country to a consumer nation. “No sane individual will engage in kidnapping or violence without underlying issues. This is why we must work together to tackle drug abuse at its roots,” he said.

Commander of the NDLEA Lagos Strategic Command, ACGN Abubakar Wali, said the workshop was designed to produce practical steps rather than mere discussions. “The theme is a clear reminder that synergy is key. We must continue to work together, share intelligence and support one another. NDLEA Lagos Strategic Command remains committed to building stronger collaborations to safeguard the future of our society,” Wali said.