NDLEA/WADA Enugu Inaugurates New Drug-Free Comrades, Charges Students to Champion Drug-Free Society

Enugu State, Nigeria — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative in Enugu State, has inaugurated a new set of Drug-Free Comrades drawn from tertiary institutions across the state, as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking among young people.

The inauguration ceremony underscored the growing need for sustained sensitisation, peer education and community-based advocacy in addressing the rising challenge of substance abuse, particularly within the student community.

The NDLEA has continued to intensify its efforts against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Nigeria, while working with WADA units across campuses to educate students on the dangers associated with drug use and encourage those already struggling with substance use to seek appropriate support and rehabilitation.

NDLEA Charges Inductees to Become Ambassadors of Drug-Free Society

Addressing the newly inducted comrades on behalf of the Enugu State Commander, Comrade Owoputi J. Adekunle, Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics Comrade Amadi Obinna Enyim identified two broad categories of substances commonly associated with drug abuse: hallucinogens and stimulants.

He explained that drugs can affect the central nervous system and emphasised that prevention remains one of the most effective approaches to tackling drug abuse.

According to him, young people must develop the courage and resistance skills necessary to reject drugs, particularly in situations involving peer pressure.

He also highlighted the progression of substance dependence through different stages, including:

1. Experimental stage
2. Occasional stage
3. Regular stage
4. Dependent/Addiction stage
5. Drug addiction

The NDLEA representative charged the inductees to become responsible ambassadors of the WADA initiative and maintain a strong working relationship with the agency in the collective pursuit of a drug-free society.

GOC IMT WADA Calls for Active Participation

Speaking at the ceremony, the GOC, IMT Unit, Comr. Seun Alfred Dayo, described the induction as a duty call for active participation in the campaign against drug abuse.

He urged the newly inducted comrades to be courageous enough to “say something when they see something”, stressing the importance of identifying emerging trends in substance abuse and sharing the knowledge gained through WADA activities.

Comr. Dayo further encouraged the inductees to take the campaign beyond the ceremony by educating their peers, fellow students and family members who may be vulnerable to drug abuse or are already engaging in harmful substance use.

He emphasised that the fight against drug abuse cannot be left to government agencies alone, noting that students and young people have a crucial role to play in influencing their immediate communities positively.

Prominent WADA Leaders in Attendance

The induction ceremony attracted several WADA leaders and student advocates from different institutions across Enugu State.

Among those present were:

• Comr. Onwula Emmanuel — Immediate Past State Commander, NDLEA/WADA, and Director of Internal Campus Crisis Management, NANS South-East Zone F.
• Comr. Seun Alfred Dayo — GOC, NDLEA/WADA IMT Unit.
• Comr. Izuchukwu Micheal — GOC, NDLEA/WADA ESUT Unit.
• Comr. Obidike Emmanuel — GOC, NDLEA/WADA FUAHSE Unit.

The ceremony ended with a renewed commitment by the inductees to contribute meaningfully to drug-abuse prevention and awareness within their respective campuses.

With the growing involvement of students in the WADA campaign, stakeholders expressed optimism that sustained collaboration between the NDLEA, campus-based WADA units and student leaders can help build a stronger culture of prevention, responsible choices and healthier student communities across Enugu State.

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