Operation HADIN KAI Alerts Yobe Students to Drug Menace

The Nigerian Army recently embarked on a crucial awareness campaign in Yobe State, educating students on the severe consequences of drug and substance abuse. This initiative, spearheaded by Sector 2, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), underscored the vital role of education in preventing substance misuse and addressing its far-reaching security implications.

Brigadier General Edet Effiong, the Commander of Sector 2 OPHK, led the sensitisation event held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Government Girls Unity College, Damaturu. The programme, themed “Education as a Strategic Tool for Combating Drugs and Substance Abuse: Impact on National Security,” saw the participation of over 300 students drawn from various schools across Yobe State.

According to a post shared on the Nigerian Army’s X account on Friday, Brigadier General Effiong, speaking on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, highlighted how drug abuse poses a significant threat to the welfare and prospects of young people. He explicitly stated, “Drug abuse is a threat to the well-being and future of our young people,” further explaining that its repercussions extend beyond individuals, impacting families, communities, and national security.

He strongly advised the students to make sound decisions and to leverage education and discipline as safeguards against harmful substances. “Education, discipline and positive choices must be your defence against harmful substances,” the Sector Commander emphasised. He added that preventing drug abuse is integral to broader efforts aimed at denying criminal and terr*rist organisations opportunities to exploit vulnerable youth or profit from illicit activities.

Brigadier General Effiong reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s dedication to initiatives that bolster community resilience through constructive engagement with young people and collaborative efforts with relevant government agencies. Mr. Idriss Mohammed Fune, the Special Guest of Honour and Director of Schools Management at the Yobe State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, commended the programme. He urged students to disseminate the anti-drug message among their peers, families, and communities, while also calling on educators to maintain continuous awareness campaigns on the dangers of substance abuse in schools.

Facilitators from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) delivered presentations during the event, and participating students received writing materials and souvenirs. The Army indicated that this initiative forms part of the non-kinetic strategy within the Joint Operations Area, designed to tackle factors that could fuel crime and insecurity. Through sustained engagement with educational institutions, communities, and relevant bodies, Sector 2 OPHK pledged to continue complementing military operations with preventive measures aimed at enhancing public awareness, strengthening community resilience, and ensuring long-term security.