By Habibu Harisu
The Chief Of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya says the Nigerian Army will hold periodic sensitization programmes against drugs abuse and other related issues in all its formations nationwide.
Yahaya gave the assurance when he declared open a drug and narcotics control awareness conference, on Thursday in Sokoto.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised by the Nigerian Army, NDLEA, and an NGO, Initiative Against Addition and Substance Abuse in Nigeria.
“Recently, the 8 Division experienced a sad incident where a soldier deployed at Forward Operations Base Rabbah, killed his colleagues and shot himself.
“While the outcome of the board of inquiry is been awaited, it is necessary to reiterate that preliminary investigation revealed that the soldier was under the influence of drugs.
“This sad event would have been averted if someone had been observant on the soldier’s attitude and have reported the issue to higher authority, ” the COAS said.
Yahaya represented by General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division, Nigerian Army Sokoto, Maj.-Gen. Godwin Mukut, said such situation had made it imperative for barrack communities to participate in the fight against drug abuse.
Yahaya described the level of drug abuse in the country as an “epidemic”, particularly among the youths.
“This makes this sensitization programme extremely important and very timely,” he added.