Yobe NGO sensitizes 750 against drug abuse, extremism

A non-governmental organization, Yobe Peace and Community Development Initiative (YPCDI) has sensitized 750 drug addicts on the danger of substance abuse and violent extremism in Yobe State and the Northeast.

Speaking with Daily Trust after a week-long workshop and rallies in Gujba, Fune and Tarmuwa local government areas of the state, the Executive Director of the initiative, Muhammad Abdulkadir Talba, said the initiative was a collaborative effort with the Northeast Regional Initiative (NERI).

He said the minds of the youths especially those who suffered devastating effects of Boko Haram needed to be disabused, and that the programme was to sensitize 200 drug users from each of the three targeted communities of Buni-Yadi, Babangida and Jajere towns but the number rose to 750.

“The initial target of 600 youths was increased to 750 youths of which 620 were confirmed drug abusers in the three communities,” he said.

A public lecture entitled, ‘Reducing youth vulnerability to violent extremism through combating substance abuse’ and a rally by the drug users carrying placards were held in the three communities.

One of the drug abusers, Sa’adiya Babangida, said she was introduced into drugs after losing her parents and husband to the bullets of Boko Haram.