The Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammad, has expressed concern over increasing number of youths engaged in drug abuse in the state and the nation in general.
Muhammad made the remarks in a Sallah message to residents at his palace in Dutse on Friday as Muslims celebrate Eid-el fitr to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
He also expressed fear over increasing number of girls being sent to hawk on the streets.
He urged parents to monitor the movement of their children and also try to know the kind of company their wards kept.
He said: “The lack of counseling or limited guidance from parents is one of the major causes of drug abuse among youths.
“There is the need for parents to be more concerned about the affairs of their children and help them to make good decisions.
“Parents, particularly mothers, must desist from sending their daughters to hawk on the streets as they mostly fall victims of rape.
“Parents must also stop hiding under the umbrella of poverty and refusing to take good care of their wards.”
The emir pointed out that the Dutse Emirate Council, this year, received several complaints about teenage girls being raped in the area and called for the cooperation of all to tackle the menace of street hawking and drug abuse.
He said: “I am using this opportunity to also call on our clerics to assist in reminding parents to fear Allah and take very good care of their children.
“This is because we shall account for our deeds in the hereafter.
“Not only religious leaders, but political, traditional, as well stakeholders in the society must come together to fight these menace.”
