The Kano State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced a partnership with Mazaje Traditional Sport Promotion Limited to combat drug abuse through traditional boxing, known locally as dambe.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Saturday by the agency’s Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari.

The collaboration was discussed during a courtesy visit to the NDLEA office in Kano by Bashir Muhammad-Danliti, also known as the Sarkin Damben Nigeria (King of Traditional Boxing), who led a delegation from the Mazaje group.

The initiative forms part of activities leading up to the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed annually on June 26 and organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

According to Strategic Commander Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, the goal of the partnership is to leverage traditional sports, especially the widely followed dambe boxing, to engage young people and raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking.

Speaking through the Head of the Drug Demand Reduction Unit, Maimuna Garba, Idris-Ahmad expressed appreciation to the Mazaje group for supporting the fight against drug abuse. He also commended Jamilu Uba-Adamu, NDLEA’s Officer in Charge of Sports, for using sports as a tool to spread critical drug prevention messages.

The commander said the collaboration would involve awareness campaigns and sporting events designed to educate the public on the risks of substance abuse and the importance of seeking support.

Reaffirming NDLEA’s commitment, Idris-Ahmad called on stakeholders and community members to back the initiative and help foster a drug-free, resilient society.

“As the UNODC Day approaches, we urge all stakeholders and the public to support this effort. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the fight against drug abuse,” he stated.

In response, Muhammad-Danliti stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between the NDLEA and traditional sports promoters. He praised the agency’s relentless efforts in combating drug abuse and highlighted the link between drug use and criminal activity.

“We are committed to working closely with the NDLEA to address the root causes of drug abuse and prevent its spread throughout the state,” he added.

(NAN)