Owerri, 10 November, 2024 / 9:26 pm (ACI Africa).
The President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has condemned the growing rate of involvement of young people in crimes promoted by the “excessive” consumption of “hard drugs” in Nigeria.
In a Monday, November 4 report by the information service of Propaganda Fide, Agenzia Fides, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri said that the escalation of youth drug abuse is among the causes of high crime rates in the West African country.
"Explosion of crime in Nigeria is linked to the spread of drugs among young people," Archbishop Ugorji said, and added, "Our young people are excessive consumers of hard drugs and do all kinds of unimaginable things. They arm themselves, steal and kidnap fellow citizens."
In expressing concern over the escalating drug abuse situation in the country, the CBCN president referred to Nigeria’s 1967-1970 civil war, saying, “It seems that we are suffering more than during the 30-month war between Nigeria and Biafra, caused by the sheer greed of our leaders.”
He further emphasized that the local community is aware of the individuals responsible for the crimes, noting that they are not from outside.
