NDLEA: 29,262 arrested, N1.5trn worth of illicit drugs seized in 18 months
The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling illicit drug use and trafficking, pledging to strengthen prevention, rehabilitation and law enforcement efforts to curb the menace across the country.
George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), gave the assurance on Wednesday at the opening of the national drug use summit in Abuja.
The summit, themed “Addressing illicit drug use and trafficking: A call to national action,” was jointly organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the federal ministry of health and social welfare, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Represented by Adamu Kana, permanent secretary, general services office in the office of the SGF, Akume said President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains committed to preventing illicit drug use, dismantling trafficking networks, expanding access to treatment and rehabilitation, and promoting the wellbeing of Nigerians.
“No nation can achieve sustainable development when its young population is threatened by drug abuse and addiction. No society can attain lasting peace and prosperity when criminal networks engaged in illicit trafficking continue to undermine its institutions and exploit its vulnerabilities,” he said.
Akume said the summit provides an opportunity for stakeholders to renew partnerships and develop coordinated strategies to address Nigeria’s drug challenge.
He added that under Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, the government is working to build resilient communities, promote mental health, empower young people and strengthen institutions responding to drug abuse.
NDLEA RECORDS 29,262 ARRESTS, N1.5TRN DRUG SEIZURES
Mohamed Buba Marwa, chairman and chief executive officer of the NDLEA, said the agency recorded 29,262 arrests, seized 5,305,484.88 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs valued at more than N1.5 trillion, and secured 5,225 convictions over the past 18 months.
Marwa said the agency also intensified its drug demand reduction efforts through the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.
According to him, the NDLEA conducted 6,645 sensitisation programmes in schools, worship centres, workplaces, markets, motor parks, correctional facilities and communities, reaching nearly five million Nigerians.
He added that 13,508 drug users received counselling, treatment and rehabilitation across the agency’s 31 rehabilitation centres during the same period.
Marwa also highlighted the launch of the alternative development initiative for cannabis growers, designed to help them transition from illicit cultivation to legitimate cash crop production and other sustainable livelihoods.
He said the scale of Nigeria’s drug challenge requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response involving government institutions, communities, families, development partners, the private sector, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and the media.
‘SUMMIT MUST PRODUCE ACTION’
Ali Pate, minister of health and social welfare, urged participants to ensure the summit produces measurable outcomes.
“The measure of this summit will not be the communiqué. It will be the number of young people who choose not to start drugs. It will be the number of patients who sleep without pain. It will be the number of families restored,” he said.
Cheikh Toure, UNODC country representative, represented by Akanidomo Ibanga, described the gathering as a demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to addressing drug use through coordinated and evidence-based interventions.
He said the summit presents an opportunity to strengthen implementation of the National Drug Control Master Plan and develop practical responses to the country’s evolving drug challenges.
The summit attracted representatives of government ministries, departments and agencies, development partners, security agencies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
