The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of full support and collaboration in the ongoing fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the country.
The monarch gave the assurance on Friday during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the NDLEA in Abuja, where he was received by Buba Marwa, its chairman.
The Alaafin was accompanied by two other traditional rulers — the Oloro of Oro, Oba Joel Olaniyan Olatoye, and the Olusin of Ijara Isin, Oba Ademola Julius Ajibola.
Oba Owoade praised Marwa’s public service record and described his leadership qualities as exemplary, noting that his years as a military administrator in Borno and Lagos laid a strong foundation for his achievements.
“We are proud of you. Your being in this position is not by chance — it reflects your devotion, commitment, and character,” he said.
“You have always been a performer, and the legacy of Keke Marwa remains unforgettable. We are ready to collaborate with you.”
The monarch said traditional rulers occupy a strategic position at the grassroots and are well placed to provide intelligence, advocacy and community mobilisation in the anti-drug campaign.
“We are at the grassroots; we know what is going on. My colleagues and I are more than ready to work with you and give all the necessary support to ensure your success. Anytime you need us, we will be there,” he added.
Marwa congratulated the Alaafin on his ascension to the throne and stressed that traditional institutions remain critical in addressing Nigeria’s drug challenge.
He said recent data from the 2018 national drug use survey shows that nearly 15 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 use drugs — a situation he described as “unacceptable”.
“We have been mandated by President Bola Tinubu to fight the drug scourge, arrest traffickers, prosecute them, and seize their assets,” Marwa said.
“But we need the traditional institutions. Nigerians respect their traditional rulers, and when they speak, it carries weight.”
The NDLEA chairman urged traditional rulers to work closely with religious leaders in their domains to strengthen advocacy against drug use. He also appealed for intelligence from communities to help identify and apprehend local drug dealers.
“If we can control drug use, criminality will drop. Kidnappers, insurgents, terrorists and bandits rely on drugs to charge themselves up,” he said.
Marwa expressed appreciation to the Alaafin for the visit and wished him a long and impactful reign marked by peace and development in Oyo Kingdom.
