The Drug-Free Arewa Movement, DFAM, has issued a grave warning over the rising tide of drug trafficking and substance abuse in Northern Nigeria, describing it as an “epidemic” endangering the region’s youth.
Speaking during his Eid-el-Kabir message in Abuja on Friday, DFAM Lead Convener, Ibrahim Yusuf, called on Northern leaders to unite in a determined effort to curb the menace, which he said is slowly destroying the future of the region.
“Drug abuse is silently slaughtering the future of the region,” Yusuf said.
“It is eating into the fabric of our society and destroying our most valuable resource—our youth.”
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He urged leaders across various sectors—including politics, religion, traditional institutions, civil society, and families—to treat the drug crisis as a national emergency, requiring immediate, coordinated action.
“This menace has paralysed development and development opportunities, provided avenues for social vices, and mental health crises,” he stated.
“We are losing our youth—the greatest asset—to addiction, unemployment, and hopelessness.”
Yusuf emphasised that DFAM’s role extends beyond mere advocacy.
According to him, the group is actively working with schools, communities, and religious bodies to implement substance demand reduction strategies that are evidence-based and sustainable.
He appealed to the Northern States Governors’ Forum, their spouses, and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council to confront the problem directly and without hesitation, saying, “Do not be afraid to respond.”
“Drug abuse does not discriminate based on ethnicity, politics, or religion,” Yusuf warned.
“It is a monster that rides into the home, the school, the street and place of worship.”
Referencing historical Northern Nigerian figures, Yusuf urged contemporary leaders to draw inspiration from past visionaries such as Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who he said stood for unity and purpose.
“These were leaders who believed in a future built on discipline and shared progress. We must honour their legacy by saving our youth from destruction,” he added.
Yusuf laid out a series of action points for stakeholders, including the reintegration of out-of-school children, the establishment of rehabilitation centres, the rollout of school-based drug prevention programmes, and the creation of genuine economic opportunities for young people.
He also issued a direct message to youth currently struggling with substance addiction: “Say no to drugs—it is a slow killer that steals your future and your peace. To those of you already addicted, you can quit! DFAM is here to help.”
The DFAM convener concluded by reiterating that defeating drug abuse would require a collective resolve across all segments of society, stressing, “We cannot allow silence to be our response in the face of this growing threat.”
With several states in Northern Nigeria already listed among the worst-affected areas for drug abuse, DFAM’s call to action comes at a critical time for the region’s policymakers.
DFAM plans to intensify its grassroots outreach efforts in coming months, targeting schools, mosques, and local communities to bolster resistance to drug use and offer support for rehabilitation.
The call has renewed focus on the urgent need for both preventive education and institutional support for those suffering from addiction in Northern Nigeria.
