NYCN To Oborevwori: Declare Emergency On Drug Abuse

By Onoriode Etatsemi,/ Delta State .

The Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), in Delta State, Comr. Sagboje Odiri Milton, CLN, has called for far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s anti-drug laws, including a national conversation on the introduction of capital punishment for convicted kingpins involved in large-scale drug trafficking whose activities have devastated communities across the country.

Comr. Sagboje made the call on Thursday in a statewide broadcast to commemorate the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (World Drug Day), where he described drug abuse as one of the gravest threats confronting Nigeria’s youth population and national security.

According to him, substance abuse has evolved beyond a mere social problem into a full-scale public health and security crisis, fueling cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, sexual violence, domestic abuse, school violence, mental health disorders and several other forms of criminality.

He lamented that families are being torn apart, dreams are being destroyed, and educational institutions are increasingly coming under the influence of drug peddlers and criminal gangs targeting vulnerable young people.

“The consequences are devastating. Families are being destroyed. Young lives are being wasted. Dreams are being cut short. Communities are becoming unsafe,” he stated.

The Deputy National Secretary of the Forum of States Chairmen expressed concern over the increasing sophistication of drug trafficking syndicates, describing them as “merchants of death” who profit from addiction, violence and human misery.

“They are no longer merely sellers of illicit substances. They are merchants of death who profit from addiction, crime, violence and human misery,” he declared.

He urged members of the National Assembly, the Delta State House of Assembly and lawmakers across the country to immediately commence legislative processes aimed at strengthening existing drug laws and amending relevant provisions of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act.

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He argued that the scale of destruction caused by major drug cartels requires extraordinary legal measures. “Those who deliberately manufacture, traffic and distribute illicit substances are not merely breaking the law; they are destroying lives, destabilizing the economy and threatening national security.”

“I therefore call for a comprehensive national conversation on introducing the most severe penalties permissible under Nigerian law, including capital punishment for convicted kingpins of drug trafficking whose activities have led to widespread societal devastation. The punishment for destroying countless lives should reflect the gravity of the crime committed,” he said.

Comrade Sagboje emphasized that while traffickers deserve severe punishment, young people struggling with addiction should be treated with compassion through rehabilitation, counselling and reintegration programmes.
“Our response must combine justice with compassion,” he stressed.

The youth leader also commended Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for his commitment to youth development, education, healthcare, security and the implementation of the MORE Agenda, noting that the administration has continued to create opportunities for young people across the state.

Despite the progress recorded, Sagboje appealed to the governor to declare a State of Emergency on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Delta State, saying such a move would elevate the fight against drugs to the level of urgency it deserves. He explained that the declaration would strengthen collaboration among government agencies, security institutions, educational bodies, healthcare professionals, community leaders and civil society organisations while expanding rehabilitation programmes and public awareness campaigns.

To further institutionalize the fight against drug abuse, Sagboje proposed the immediate establishment of a Delta State Advocacy Committee Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

According to him, the committee should comprise representatives of relevant government ministries and agencies, the NDLEA, security agencies, educational institutions, traditional rulers, religious organisations, civil society groups, youth organisations, healthcare professionals and the media.

“There should be coordinate statewide advocacy campaigns, school outreach programmes, community sensitisation activities, rehabilitation support initiatives and stakeholder engagements aimed at reducing drug abuse across Delta State,” he added.

As part of the NYCN’s response to the growing menace, Comr. Sagboje formally unveiled the Delta Beyond Drugs Advocacy Campaign, describing it as the council’s flagship anti-drug initiative..

He said the programme would focus on prevention, education, awareness creation, advocacy, mentorship and behavioural change, with the objective of building a generation of informed and responsible young people capable of resisting substance abuse.

“The Delta Beyond Drugs Advocacy Campaign represents a bold and strategic response by the youth constituency of Delta State to the growing challenge of substance abuse.
“Our objective is simply to build a generation of young people who are informed about the dangers of drug abuse, empowered to make positive choices and inspired to become ambassadors of a drug-free society,” he stated.

He revealled that the Campus Edition of the campaign would commence at the Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara, bringing together students, youth leaders, healthcare professionals, security experts, anti-drug advocates and other stakeholders for intensive engagement on combating substance abuse.

The Youth Leader said the programme would feature expert presentations, awareness sessions, mentorship opportunities, interactive discussions and practical strategies aimed at preventing drug abuse within campuses and surrounding communities.

While calling on students, youth organisations and stakeholders to participate actively, he urged institutions of higher learning to become centres of innovation, character development and leadership rather than breeding grounds for addiction and criminality.

Addressing young people directly, Amb. Sagboje challenged them to reject peer pressure and embrace education, entrepreneurship, discipline and purposeful living.

“Your life is valuable. Your dreams matter. Your future is worth protecting. Do not allow drugs to rob you of your potential. Do not allow peer pressure to destroy your destiny. Choose education over addiction. Choose enterprise over dependency. Choose discipline over self-destruction. Choose purpose over hopelessness. Choose life,” he urged.

He called on all stakeholders to unite in building a Delta State free from drug abuse, crime and violence, insisting that safeguarding the future of the state requires collective action from government, families, communities and young people themselves.

“The future of Delta State lies in the hands of its youth. Together, we must protect that future by defeating drug abuse and building a safer, healthier, stronger and more prosperous Delta State,” he concluded.