Gombe drug abuse threat flagged by police commissioner, linking substance abuse to thuggery and rising insecurity ahead of elections

Gombe State Commissioner of Police Umar Chuso on Monday warned that rising drug abuse and political thuggery pose a serious threat to public safety and social stability ahead of forthcoming elections.

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The Gombe drug abuse threat warning was delivered during a community engagement and sensitisation programme held at the Gombe International Hotel, where Umar Chuso called for a decisive shift from reactive to proactive policing strategies.

Umar Chuso said the evolving nature of crime demands prevention-focused approaches, early intervention and stronger collaboration between law enforcement and communities.

Umar Chuso stressed that reliance on conventional responses is no longer sufficient to tackle emerging security challenges.

Drawing a direct connection between substance abuse and violent crime, Umar Chuso described the relationship as deeply intertwined.

Umar Chuso noted that drug dependency often drives individuals towards criminal activity, while organised groups exploit addiction to recruit and control vulnerable youths.

Umar Chuso also raised concern about the role of politically motivated actors in fuelling unrest, warning that some exploit drug-influenced youths to perpetrate violence.

Umar Chuso described the pattern as a dangerous cycle capable of sustaining long-term instability.

Calling for a unified response, Umar Chuso emphasised that effective crime prevention requires collective responsibility involving government institutions, community members and civil society.

Umar Chuso urged residents to support intelligence gathering and build trust with the police, noting that transparency and accountability are essential to strengthening cooperation.

Highlighting local flashpoints, Umar Chuso identified areas such as Jekadafari as hotspots for youth-related violence, while confirming that several suspects have already been prosecuted. Umar Chuso said stronger community partnerships are now essential to sustain progress.

In a direct appeal to young people, Umar Chuso urged them to reject destructive influences, warning that involvement in drug abuse and thuggery undermines future opportunities and social stability.

Other stakeholders echoed the call for action. Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the state, Joseph Shinga, pledged continued support for efforts to curb social vices through moral guidance and community vigilance.

Chairman of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Saleh Danburam, said religious institutions would intensify advocacy against drug abuse and youth exploitation, reinforcing the need for societal intervention.

The Wazirin Yeriman Gombe, Yaya Hammari, described the engagement as timely, noting that substance abuse contributes significantly to unemployment and insecurity.

Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee, Garba Ubale, commended the initiative as a constructive step towards strengthening community policing.

Security expert Adamu Ahmad and youth advocate Abdulaziz Sani Labaran highlighted broader societal drivers, including political influence and social pressures, urging deliberate interventions to reverse the troubling trend.

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The Gombe drug abuse threat warning underscores growing concern among authorities and stakeholders, as efforts intensify to safeguard communities and ensure peaceful electoral processes.