By Aminu Adamu
Following the recent imposition of a 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. restriction on commercial motorcycle and tricycle operations, the Niger State Government has been commended for taking a firm stance against rising criminal activities believed to be fueled by illicit drug consumption.
Public Affairs Analyst, Lakpene Yusuf Bida, Esq., hailed the move as timely and strategic, particularly in curbing the activities of those he describes as “agents of dastardly business” who prefer the hours between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. to carry out their illegal dealings.
“The Government has indeed hit the nail well by this temporary restriction of movement of commercial motorcycle riders and kekenapep riders,” Yusuf Bida stated. “Their preferred period of dastardly business is between that 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.”
However, he emphasized that this is only the “first face” of the battle. He urged the government to intensify efforts on a “second face”—the total blockage of illicit drug distribution across the state. According to him, substances such as marijuana (wewe), cocaine, heroin, kaikai, barasa, wine, palm wine, burukutu, lizard dung, and cigarettes are major catalysts for criminal behavior.
“These are agents that spur crime commission by those who abuse them, which in most occasions lead to temporary madness, loss of positive thinking, and brain damages that consequently result into the commission of heinous crimes against society like killings, daylight robberies, and grievous harm on innocent people’s bodies,” Yusuf Bida warned.
He called on the Niger State Government and all security agencies to use discreet investigation methods and focus attention on vulnerable groups, including street beggars, drug peddlers, scattered medicine stores, and health institutions. Regular inspections by the Ministry of Health and stricter regulations on drug sales were also recommended.
Yusuf Bida further advocated for enhanced public education campaigns on the dangers of drug abuse and self-medication, noting that unchecked access to certain medicines has worsened the situation.
Moreover, he emphasized the need for the State Liquor Board to be more active and for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to maintain strong cooperation with state authorities. “Once these illicit drugs are checked effectively, Niger State will be greatly relieved of these terrible crimes, and once more, peace and tranquility will be achieved across the state and not only in the state capital, Minna,” he concluded.
The Niger State Government has not officially responded to these recommendations at press time, but sources within security circles suggest that broader strategies are being considered to tackle the escalating drug menace.
May the state, and its people, be guided.
