Drug Abuse Fuels 80% of Sokoto's Security Challenges

During a public lecture organized by the Sultan Maccido Institute of Qur'anic Studies in Sokoto on March 14, 2026, Gov. Aliyu declared that drug abuse fuels 80% of the security challenges in the state.

He attributed violent crimes and banditry largely to hard drugs, stressing that drug abuse destroys families and deprives youth of their potential. Gov.

Aliyu called for urgent coordinated interventions involving parents, teachers, religious leaders, and civil society to combat drug trafficking. He announced the establishment of an office for a Senior Special Assistant on Substance Abuse Control to lead awareness campaigns.

The governor commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its efforts in combating drug abuse and trafficking, while also urging stakeholders to unite in safeguarding the future of young people. Mustapha Gidado of the NDLEA described drug abuse as a major threat to security and health, while Alhaji Abdulrazak Shehu emphasized the need for treatment and rehabilitation services for drug users.