In bid to to renew the fight against substance abuse, Bola Tinubu has implored the Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies in Africa to crush illicit drug syndicate in Nigeria.
Tinubu made the call during the 31st meeting of the Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Africa (HONLAF), on Tuesday in Abuja.
Represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, the president also enjoined the continent’s anti drugs agencies to fight against illicit drug trafficking in their respective countries.
He warned vehemently that the African continent would remain in chains till it breaks free from the shackles of the criminal enterprises of drug barons and syndicates of illicit drugs.
“If we don’t dismantle the criminal enterprises that threaten our future and build a brighter tomorrow for all Africans, we will remain in chains in a diseased and amoral world, as will our children and their children.”
Speaking on his keynote address, titled, “Rising Above the Drug Threat”, Tinubu said that “Africa was at the mercy of a threat that knows neither race nor geography, neither gender nor social class.”
He, therefore, enjoined the African heads of drug law enforcement agencies to consider the conference in Abuja as a ray of hope and a catalyst for positive change across the continent.
President Tinubu thanked them for their sacrifices in ensuring a world that is free of illicit drugs.
“This threat has crossed borders and destroyed societies and dreams. Without the moral commitment of the men and women in this room, this threat would have left cities, countries, and even civilizations erased.
“So, I must commend you for your sacrifices in the bids to keep our world drug-free, sane and safe.
“This conference emphasises your investment across borders to protect us from the devastations of drugs, a threat that only submits to the enforcement of the law.”
He thanked HONLAF and its partners, particularly, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, for creating the avenue for offering intelligence and drug law enforcement officials a grand opportunity to compare notes.
He also appreciated HONLAF for creating platform for collaboration and networking that would be several steps ahead of the criminal network of drug transnational organisations.