Some concerned Yoruba Muslim scholars in Nigeria have joined the government in the national campaign against drug trafficking and illicit use of drugs in the country.
The group led by Sheikh Abdul Fattah Thanni, the Acting President, Council of Ulamah of Nigeria, said the initiative will curb, if not totally stop the spread of illicit drugs among Nigerian youths.
This was disclosed during their courtesy visit to the headquarters of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), where they were received by the Chairman of the agency, Brig-Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd).
The Gen. Marwa (Rtd) led-NDLEA had in mid 2021 collaborated with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to launch War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), which has recorded tremendous successes.
The chairman of the agency, who was excited about the visitation, decorated the concerned Southwest Muslim scholars including Prof. Lakin Akintola, the Director, Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, with badges of honour as anti-drug ambassadors.
Sheikh Thanni commended Gen. Marwa (Rtd) for the great work he is doing since assumption of office in January, 2021, noting that the body is dedicated to the liberation of the society from the menace of drug abuse.
According to him, “The federal government recently launched War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) and we are here to pledge our support in the cleaning of our society from drug abuse.
PHOTOS: Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. MB Marwa (retd) with the acting President, Yoruba Muslim Scholars in Nigeria, Sheikh Abdulfatah Thanni when he led other members of the group including Prof. Ishaq Akintola on a courtesy visit to the NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja Today. pic.twitter.com/tc7IQCUN9W
— NDLEA NIGERIA (@ndlea_nigeria) February 16, 2022
“The indiscriminate use of drugs among youths has been there for long, but it’s becoming alarming nowadays. We see a lot of promising youths who have become mentally derailed due to drugs. Some want quick money, hence, their engagement in drug trafficking.
“As concerned Muslim scholars, we also have important roles to play, especially using the minbar (pulpits) to sensitise our members, majority of whom are youths, on the danger of illicit drugs,” he noted.
Sheikh Thanni, one of the Imams of The Muslim Congress (TMC) said the need for the reawakening of Muslims, most especially the scholars and Muslim elites led to the formation of the concerned Southwest Muslim scholars.
“We are a body seeing to the awakening of the Muslims, including the scholars and the Muslim elites. It is not a tribal move, but mainly to promote unity, understanding and also justice for Muslims suffering various forms of injustice.
“We are promoting peace and order, tranquillity, adequate development among the youths. What NDLEA stands for is aligning with what we are promoting”, he added.
