The General Officer Commanding, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General OC Ajunwa, has urged soldiers and their family members to abstain from drug abuse, describing it as “an ugly trend capable of destroying their lives.”
A statement posted by the Army on its verified Twitter handle, @HQNigerianArmy, on Sunday, noted that General Ajunwa made the call during a sensitisation lecture on substance/drug abuse.
The lecture was organised for soldiers and their family members at the Command Day Secondary School Auditorium, Ikeja, in Lagos, on Saturday.
The GOC, represented by the Commander, Division Equipment Support, Col. Emmanuel Omoba, while giving his remarks at the lecture, said the event was designed to create awareness of the increasing cases of drug abuse among soldiers, and most especially, their family members, as well as its effects within barracks community.
Ajunwa emphasised that abuse of drugs among military personnel and their family members had eaten deep, which if not urgently addressed headlong, could lead to a serious catastrophe.
He advised the participants to be careful in making decisions as such could make or mar their future.
He further encouraged parents to put more effort into their parental responsibilities, ensuring a good upbringing for their children by keeping a close watch on them, saying it takes a collective approach to curbing the ugly trend.
Delivering a lecture at the seminar, Dr Odigie-Akpataka pointed out that depression, despair, a feeling of hopelessness, and other stress-inducing factors were not enough reasons to indulge in drug abuse which, according to her, exposes victims to mental and health risks.
“If any of you is struggling with something, go to the MRS and seek help and learn to cut your coat according to your cloth,” she advised.
