RE: DRUGS: AREWA MUST DEFEND ITSELF! (III)

 I had intended to turn to other issues this week but the responses continue to pile up. Therefore, we continue, walLahul Musta’an (Allah is the Helper). A READER SAYS: “The analogy you painted last week on imaginary armed robbery in the South East fuelled by imaginary Arewa gun-runners as counter-point to real-world drug addiction in […]

 I had intended to turn to other issues this week but the responses continue to pile up. Therefore, we continue, walLahul Musta’an (Allah is the Helper).

A READER SAYS: “The analogy you painted last week on imaginary armed robbery in the South East fuelled by imaginary Arewa gun-runners as counter-point to real-world drug addiction in Arewa fuelled by real-world South East drug traffickers was very apt. If only our people would and could wake up!”

ANOTHER READER ADDS: “It is like your house is on fire and all of the members of the household are frantically trying to extinguish it. Suddenly, someone from outside came and threw a gallon of petrol on to the fire. What do you do? Continue trying to kill the fire while that outsider continues to throw petrol on it? No! All of you must immediately fight the petrol-thrower FIRST because your fire can never be killed when there is someone adding fuel to it.”

FIRE IN THE HOUSE: “Kano Drug Recovery Programme (KDRP) met last week to design how best to initiate a private or even a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) drug rehabilitation programme for the millions of youths who are being destroyed by substance abuse.”

PETROL ON THE FIRE: “A certain John Ojukwu was arrested by Kano NDLEA not too long ago with hard drugs wrapped as Wedding Gift. The evidence is there at NDLEA Kano exhibit warehouse.”

FIRE IN THE HOUSE: “Freedom Radio Kano this Wednesday dedicated its popular two-hour afternoon programme Duniyarmu A Yau on drug abuse. One Comrade Idris Unguwar Gini, founder of ‘Da Na Kowa Ne’ (Every Child Is Everybody’s Child), brought in repentant and ‘practising’ drug junkies who spoke on the programme. Heart-breaking narrations wallahi. Inna lilLahi wa inna ilaiHi raji’un!”

PETROL ON THE FIRE: “A certain Chika Ikwazomu was arrested by Kano NDLEA with hard drugs hidden in a car’s headlamp. The evidence is there at NDLEA Kano exhibit warehouse.”

FIRE IN THE HOUSE: “Your Columnist is appearing on Rahama Radio Kano’s live ‘Anti-Drug Addiction’ programme next Monday at 5pm in sha Allah.”

PETROL ON THE FIRE: “Kano NDLEA apprehended a consignment of codeine-laced substances manufactured by Alben Healthcare Ind. Ltd., Kilometre 15, Old Onitsha-Awka Road, Ogidi, Anambra State. The consignment is intended for the Kano and neighbouring ‘markets’ to continue destroying our youths. The evidence is there at NDLEA Kano exhibit warehouse.”

FIRE IN THE HOUSE: “Keep a date – This Monday 30 April at 11pm NTA is showing an explosive documentary on codeine-induced drug abuse in the North.”

Need one say more? Haba Jama’a! Wallahi our house is on fire and while we, members of the household, are frantically trying to kill the fire but someone from outside is throwing petrol on to it. Mustn’t all of us stop everything and immediately fight this petrol-thrower? Remember, our fire can never be killed if there is someone adding fuel to it!

ADO SUNUSI SABONGIDA ([email protected]): I have been following your pieces on drugs and it is really touching. This is a very serious problem which needs to be addressed by collaborative efforts between government, traditional rulers, NDLEA and youth organisations. Nowadays many women are also addicted in this drug abuse, both housewives and youths. The following measures should be taken in order to address part of the problem: More enlightenment and campaigns through social and traditional media on the effects of drug abuse; Engaging Islamic scholars and Friday Imams to deliver lecture and Friday Sermons on the matter; Using Zauren Unguwanni (Community Initiatives) to generate general discussion on the problem; And taking serious action on the dealers of drugs.

JANADA MAMZA ([email protected]): Ina wuni sir? Sannu da gajiya. I have been following your Saturday column ‘Arewa Must Defend Itself’, and I have to say it has been a great piece, all three of them. I was hoping I could get to talk to you but, somehow, I believe you aren’t based in Abuja. Is it possible to call you? I am a qualified pharmacist with over 15 years in the UK and relocated to settle back home in 2016. I have obtained my Nigerian licence after the mandatory conversion course in 2017. The issue on drugs is very close to my heart, being a Neurosciences pharmacist by speciality. Kindly let me know if you are willing to have a conversation with me and I will oblige around your proposed time. I appreciate your busy schedule. Nagode sosai and Allah Ya wuce mana gaba. [JANADA: I WILL GET IN TOUCH IN SHA ALLAH – COLUMNIST]

ANOTHER REEADER ADDS: Salam, I happen to be a faithful reader of your Saturday Column. This matter is very serious. I work in drugs. And I know so many things I can’t say because I will endanger myself wallahi. It is much beyond what you have painted. Much, much beyond. If I start to tell you the facts I know even your newspaper cannot carry it. I will contact you privately and tell you more in sha Allah. [ANONYMOUS: I WILL GET IN TOUCH IN SHA ALLAH – COLUMNIST]

MUHAMMAD ABUBAKAR ([email protected]): Ours in Katsina is such a disturbing situation where all the traffickers located within the four corners of our ancient city and its fringes are from that section of the country you mentioned wallahi. More disturbing is how in broad daylight you will see law enforcement operatives in unmarked Hilux vehicles coming to be tipped by these peddlers without any care in the world, so that they continue to destroy our future leaders.  It’s a daily affair at Danja and Maska roads near old Gidan Yashi all in Sabon Layi Quarters. Nobody seems to care or ponder on this self-destruct attitude of ours. May Allah save us.

ONE READER REMINDED ME OF THIS LINK FROM MAR 18 2014:  “The youths of Unguwan Shanu in Kaduna Metropolis have taken a bold step against the activities of drug dealers in their community, an act enthusiastically followed by other settlements within Kaduna. Recently, youths of Unguwan Shanu passed a resolution to rid the community of the open sale of narcotic drugs. The traders comprise of medicine vendors popularly called ‘Chemist’, and other miscreants who had modernized the trade of narcotics on the street. The youths united overnight and mobilized themselves and went around and ordered all the ‘shops’ to close, and the street traders to leave immediately. This led to the high turn-out of the elders in the community to support the action of the youths. Then there was the inclusion of the traditional institution, and the security forces, including the Kaduna office of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The traders, who had almost become untouchable, had the backing of some disgruntled politicians who usually go and bail them out whenever they were arrested. The traffickers are also alleged to have some informers within the police who tell them beforehand that a raid will be undertaken against them so they will go underground and then pay the informer…”

Need one say more? Haba Jama’a! Wallahi our house is on fire and we, members of the household, are frantically trying to kill it but someone from outside is throwing petrol on to it. Mustn’t all of us stop everything and immediately fight this petrol-thrower? Remember, our fire can never be killed if there is someone adding fuel to it!

WalLahul Musta’an (Allah is the Helper).