Drug abuse responsible for increased security challenge in Nigeria ― John-Jonal

THE Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonal (rtd), yesterday said drug abuse is responsible for the increasing crime rate across Nigeria.

John-Jonal stated this on Monday, in Government House, Yenagoa, when 27 members out of the 137 participants in the Defense College paid him a courtesy visit.

The Deputy Governor further said that security challenges in the country are getting complicated and that the ready tools used to perpetrate crime are youths that practice drug abuse.

“The challenges of drug abuse are becoming more complex because of its prevalence. This is not only in Bayelsa, but the country at large. Those under the influence of drugs are easily misled, and it increases the crime rate in the country.

“When the individual is secured, then the society is secured. If we don’t educate our people security challenges will always be there,’’ he said.

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In his remarks, the Deputy Commandant, Director of Studies, Defence College, Maj.-Gen. Peter Dauke, said the population is one of the elements of national strength and youths form a large segment of the population, and that if the youths are not engaged positively, it would have a negative effect on national security.

“If the youths are properly engaged it will impact on the national security, and if they are not it will have an adverse effect.

“It is for this purpose we are visiting Bayelsa State to see things for our selves, and to see how the youths will be properly engaged,’’ he said.