Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has said the frightful rise in crime in the country is not unconnected to excessive abuse of hard drugs by criminal elements.
Makinde Iskil Ayinla, Commandant, Kwara State Command of NSCDC made the assertion in Ilorin, the state capital, on Friday.
Ayinla, who spoke while receiving the new Kwara State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency( NDLEA), Mr Peter Onche Odaudu, who paid him a courtesy visit, said the brazen abuse of hard drug turns those engaging in it to reckless and wayward characters.
He noted that the perennial insecurity that plagues the country can also be linked to hard drugs.
The NSCDC Commandant commended the efforts of the NDLEA in ridding the society of drug abuse and other illegal means of using drugs
” When we are talking about the rise in crime rate in the country there is no way we will not mention the excessive abuse of hard drugs by these criminal elements.
“We talk about the increase in rape cases and you all agree with me that there is no way we can separate the negative effects of drugs,” the Commandant stated.
He, however, promised the readiness of the NSCDC to further improve the working relationship with the NDLEA to check the increase in the use of hard drugs in society.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commander of the NDLEA Mr Peter condemned the abuse of hard drugs by security operatives in the country all in the name of being gallant and successful.
He said the NDLEA is ready to sensitize the NSCDC officers and men on the danger of drug abuse adding that the two federal government paramilitary agencies have been enjoying a result-oriented working relationship and promised to sustain this during his time in Kwara State.