The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Thursday stormed the streets of Benin City with an anti-drug and substance abuse campaign, warning young people against narcotics while urging them to embrace healthy lifestyles.

The two-day sensitisation, held in partnership with SG Logistics Services Limited, began with a public awareness walk that kicked off at King’s Square, Ring Road. Despite a heavy downpour, participants marched through major routes including Sapele Road, Ikpokpan, Boundary Road, and Ihama Road before ending at Airport Road.

Hundreds of secondary school students, civil society groups, and community volunteers joined the rally, waving placards and chanting, “Say No to Drugs, Yes to Life.” The event also featured talks on the dangers of narcotics, the influence of peer pressure, and practical steps for seeking help.

Some former drug users shared personal stories of how substance abuse had devastated their lives, pledging to rebuild and encouraging others to avoid their mistakes.

Speaking during the rally, Mrs Mercy Babawale, NDDC Director in Edo State, said the campaign was taken directly to the streets to tackle what she described as a growing menace threatening the future of Nigerian youths.

“This campaign is part of our broader plan to fight drug abuse across the Niger Delta by prioritising prevention and public education,” she explained. “Too many young people are wasting their future. Saying no to drugs means saying yes to life, and we want them to know that help is available.” She charged students who participated in the walk to carry the message back to their schools and communities, stressing that the fight against drug abuse must be collective