By Sani Aliyu, Zaria The Zaria office of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has called on journalists to support its efforts...
By Sani Aliyu, Zaria
The Zaria office of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has called on journalists to support its efforts in raising public awareness about the dangers of drug abuse within communities.
Muhammad Shi’aibu, Assistant Commander of Narcotics and Head of the Drug Demand Reduction Unit at the Kaduna State Command (Zaria office), made this appeal while receiving executive members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Zaria Unit during a courtesy visit to his office.
Shi’aibu emphasized the critical role of the media in combating drug abuse, noting that journalists are indispensable partners in educating the public and reducing drug-related issues to the barest minimum.
“The media is a vital institution that can help us effectively discharge our duties. Without the media, it would be challenging to inform the public about the dangers of drug abuse or to address drug-related issues in our communities and the state,” Shi’aibu stated.
He assured the journalists of a stronger collaboration, pledging to enhance the longstanding working relationship between the NDLEA and the media.
Shi’aibu also appealed to community leaders, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders to provide credible information on areas where drug consumption and trafficking occur, enabling the agency to address such issues promptly.
He clarified that his unit is focused on drug demand reduction, rather than arrests or stop-and-search operations, emphasizing the need for preventive measures through public sensitization.
Earlier, the Vice Chairman of the NUJ Zaria Unit, Comrade Sani Aliyu, who led the delegation, reaffirmed the journalists’ commitment to supporting the NDLEA in its mission. He recalled the historical relationship between the media and the NDLEA, particularly before the state headquarters was moved from Zaria to Kaduna.
Comrade Aliyu assured the Assistant Commander of the journalists’ full cooperation and urged the agency to reciprocate when their assistance is needed.
No comments