Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have called on religious leaders, parents and community members to intensify efforts to curb drug trafficking and substance abuse across the state.

The appeal was made during the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking programme organised by the Balogun Gambari Wards Development Association (BAGWADA) in Ilorin.

Represented by his Senior Adviser and Counsellor, Saadu Salahu, Governor AbdulRazaq urged both Islamic and Christian clerics to use their platforms to educate worshippers on the devastating consequences of drug abuse.

According to the governor, the state government remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote the wellbeing and productivity of young people.

"Hard drugs destroy not only health but also ambition, education, security and the future of our state. Today's sensitisation programme is more than an event; it is a timely intervention to protect a generation," he said.

Governor AbdulRazaq commended BAGWADA for partnering with the NDLEA to organise the awareness campaign, noting that drug abuse affects families, schools, markets and entire communities.

"Youth protection and public safety remain key priorities of this administration, and we will continue to provide operational support to the NDLEA to strengthen its activities across Kwara State," he added.

Speaking at the event, the Kwara State Commander of the NDLEA, Hajia Fatima Popoola, represented by her deputy, Usman Jibril, appealed to residents to provide credible information that would assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending drug traffickers.

She assured participants that the agency would sustain its collaboration with communities while intensifying sensitisation campaigns in schools and among key stakeholders.

"Communities are already feeling the impact of drug abuse. If the overwhelming majority of law-abiding residents unite against the few individuals involved in drug peddling, the fight will become much easier," Jibril said.

Also speaking, the Imam Gambari of Ilorin, Sheikh Sulaiman AbdulAzeez, advocated a return to communal parenting, describing it as an effective approach to tackling the growing challenge of drug abuse among young people.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Kwara State Drug Control Committee, Barakat Olanrewaju, represented by Mr Ade Bodunde, disclosed that mandatory drug screening has been introduced for newly admitted students in tertiary institutions and applicants shortlisted for government employment.

Earlier, the Chairman of BAGWADA, Ayo Awodi, said the programme marked the conclusion of several days of awareness campaigns held across the Gambari, Ibagun and Sango wards.

He explained that the outreach was aimed at reinforcing the message that preventing drug abuse requires the collective commitment of government, families, religious institutions and the wider community.