The chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (retired), wants couples to undergo mandatory drug testing before marriage. He made the call on Tuesday while launching a campaign against drug abuse in Jigawa State and signing executive orders to establish a state task force on the issue.
Marwa argued that screening for illicit drug use should be as routine as HIV and genotype tests before couples walk down the aisle. "Today, when our children are preparing for marriage, families routinely request HIV test results and genotype compatibility tests.
Why shouldn't we also request a drug-free certificate? This should apply to both the bride and the groom," he said.
The NDLEA boss noted that many marriages collapse days before the ceremony after one partner tests positive for drug abuse. He stressed that early screening would help families make smart decisions and shield homes from the wreckage of substance abuse.
Marwa disclosed that his agency handles cases almost daily involving weddings cancelled because an intending spouse tested positive for illicit drugs. No parent would knowingly hand over their daughter to a drug addict, he reasoned, so couples should be screened in advance.
He called on Jigawa State to embrace the initiative as part of its strategy to tackle drug abuse and noted that the campaign had gained traction across the country. Marwa urged parents, religious leaders, traditional institutions, and civil society groups to back efforts to prevent substance abuse among young people.
The NDLEA chairman praised Governor Umar Namadi for setting up the Jigawa State Task Force on Drug Abuse Control, calling it a bold move that other states should copy. He described drug abuse as a grave threat to families, communities, and the nation's growth.
Governor Namadi told members of the newly inaugurated task force to work with integrity, dedication, and patience. He framed the fight against drug abuse and social reorientation as long-term work that demands sustained effort, not quick fixes.
The governor commended Marwa for the agency's partnership with Jigawa and praised the state NDLEA command for seizing nearly 2,000 kilograms of illicit drugs valued at over N2.8 billion and securing 136 convictions. He called on NDLEA leadership to give the state command extra operational backing to implement the new executive orders effectively.
