Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has attributed a significant share of insecurity in the state to drug abuse, claiming that it is responsible for about 80 percent of violent incidents.
The governor made the statement on Thursday, June 25, during a public lecture marking the 2026 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The event was held at the auditorium of the Sultan Maccido Institute for Qur’an and General Studies in Sokoto.
Represented by Deputy Governor Alhaji Idris Mohammed Gobir, Aliyu said the widespread use of hard drugs is a major driver of violent crime and banditry across the state.
“The security challenges bedevilling our state are 80 per cent contributed by hard drugs. These people are taking serious hard drugs. No human being in his normal sense would look at another human being and take his life,” he said.
He added that drug abuse not only fuels insecurity but also destroys families, limits the potential of young people, and contributes to a range of social and health problems.
According to him, many young people who engage in drug use risk losing opportunities for leadership and success.
“We want you to become presidents, ministers, governors and chairmen of important companies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But you cannot achieve that if you engage in drug abuse and drug trafficking,” he said.
The governor also expressed concern about the growing influence of illicit drug trafficking, noting that it strengthens organised crime networks and undermines both national and international security.
He further argued that many violent criminals are influenced by narcotics, which, he said, contributes to the brutality seen in attacks on communities.
“These people can enter a village, shoot innocent people and even burn down entire communities without remorse. Such actions are against our religion and humanity. Drug abuse is more dangerous than many people think,” he added.
Aliyu called for a broader, community-based response to the problem, stressing that law enforcement alone cannot address it. He urged parents, teachers, religious and traditional leaders, civil society groups, healthcare professionals, and the media to work together in tackling substance abuse.
The governor also announced that the state has created an Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Substance Abuse Control and Prevention as part of its response strategy.
He commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its efforts in combating drug trafficking and abuse, and called for sustained collaboration to protect young people and improve security in the state.
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