The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, has called for coordinated action by government institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations, academia, traditional and religious leaders, and the media to tackle drug abuse and youth vulnerability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Odumosu in a statement by the FCT command spokesperson , DSC Monica Ojobi, warned that the increasing rate of drug abuse among young people poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic process, saying the problem has gone beyond a public health concern to become a major national security challenge capable of fueling electoral violence, political thuggery and other violent crimes.
He made the call on while delivering a keynote address at the Fifth International Conference of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Abuja, themed, “Drug Abuse, Youth and Electoral Violence in Nigeria: Pathways to a Credible and Violence-Free 2027 General Election.”
According to him, addressing the menace requires a whole-of-society approach involving governments at all levels, educational institutions, security agencies, parents, political actors, faith-based organisations, traditional institutions and civil society groups.
He said, “Drug abuse among youths in Nigeria has evolved beyond being merely a public health concern; it has become a significant national security challenge with far-reaching consequences for social stability, crime and democratic governance.”
While acknowledging that many young Nigerians face unemployment, poverty and social exclusion, the NSCDC commandant stressed that the vast majority remain peaceful, innovative and patriotic, urging stakeholders to empower them as partners in nation-building rather than allow them to be exploited for political violence.
He also expressed concern over the recurring use of drug-dependent youths as political thugs during elections, noting that such individuals are often manipulated to intimidate opponents, snatch ballot boxes, destroy electoral materials, attack security personnel and disrupt the electoral process.
Odumosu said, “Election periods often witness the recruitment of drug-dependent youths as political thugs because such individuals can easily be manipulated to intimidate opponents, snatch ballot boxes, destroy electoral materials, attack security personnel and disrupt the electoral process. We must be more determined than ever to ensure violence-free elections.”
The commandant reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to supporting peaceful, transparent and credible elections through intelligence-led operations, protection of electoral infrastructure and other critical national assets, inter-agency collaboration, community engagement and sustained public enlightenment.
He urged universities to continue producing evidence-based research and policy recommendations to strengthen democratic governance and national security, while encouraging young people to embrace responsible political participation.
Odumosu, according to the statement further called on Nigerians to work collectively towards building a democratic culture where “ballots not bullets determine leadership, ideas, not intimidation shape political competition, and young people are celebrated as architects of peace rather than instruments of violence.”
The conference , the statement disclosed, attracted key stakeholders, including former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, who presented the lead paper, as well as the Comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service, diplomats, policymakers, security experts, development partners and students.
