Hon. Kafilat Adetola Ogbara, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, has demanded the declaration of a state of emergency over drug misuse, human trafficking, and insecurity among married women, young girls, and young adults in the nation.

She delivered the call during the start of the committee’s two-day North-Central National Women Sensitization Workshop, which was held in association with Osjones International Services Limited.

Ogbara said, “Insecurity, drug abuse and violence against women and children are not isolated problems but interconnected challenges that require a comprehensive and coordinated response.

“We cannot afford to ignore the suffering and vulnerability of our marginalized populations. It is incumbent upon us, as responsible leaders, to come together, engage in dialogue and develop strategies that will address these issues effectively.

“On our part as legislature, we are working assiduously using the tools available to us which are legislative interventions, to ensure that all these vices are reduced to the barest minimum if not eliminated or eradicated completely.

“The 10th House of Representatives, ably led by Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas is promoting punitive measures to curb all of these vices.” she added

Mohammed Umaru Bago, the governor of Niger State, called for assistance for the state administration in combating the insurgency that had devastated the state’s farming towns.

While the state government has made progress in combating drug usage among its citizens, the governor who was being represented by deputy governor Yakubu Garba also appealed for prayers and stated that efforts to put an end to banditry and terrorism in the state were ongoing.

He emphasized that in order to curb the threat of drug misuse, insecurity, and other social vices facing the state and the nation at large, close cooperation with all relevant stakeholders—including women—is required.