Abia State government has declared war against cultism, drug addiction and other forms of criminality in the State.
The declaration was made in Umuahia by Governor Alex Otti during a one-day sensitization campaign against cultism and drug addiction, organized by Abia State Orientation Agency.
He condemned the rate at which youths are involved, lamenting that most of those involved in criminality in the country were under the control of illicit drugs or cultism.
Governor Otti, who reiterated the determination of his administration to eradicate criminality in Abia, said the policy was aimed at making the state safe for citizens and visitors.
“Armed robbery, kidnappings, abductions, violent crimes and banditary have close relationships with cultism and drug addiction.
Today, our young ones have involved themselves in consuming illicit substances that make them behave abnormally,” he said.
The Governor commended the Abia State Orientation Agency for the sensitization and urged the participants to spread the campaign to all parts of the State.
Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who was represented by DCP Sani Shuabi, decried the high rate of cultism and drug addiction among the youths, but assured that the Nigeria Police would collaborate with the Abia State government and security agencies to tackle the challenge.
The keynote Speaker and Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor Maduebibisi Iwe identified unemployment and weak industrial base as some of the challenges facing the Nigerian youth.
Earlier in his speech, the Director General of Abia State Orientation Agency, Dike Nwankwo said the sensitization program was put together to drum up the war against cultism, drug addiction and other forms of criminality.
