Nigeria is grappling with a drug abuse crisis, highlighted by the recent lynching of NDLEA officer Aliyu Imran. The agency has suffered numerous casualties over the years while combating drug trafficking and has made significant drug seizures. Approximately 14.4% of the population between 15 and 64 years old abuses drugs, exacerbating social problems. Continued efforts are needed to combat this growing issue effectively.
Nigeria is currently facing a critical challenge concerning the rampant use of hard drugs. A recent incident in Gadan-Gayan, Kaduna State, where Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics 1 Aliyu Imran was lynched, underscores the severe risks faced by agents of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). In order to combat this pressing issue, it is imperative that local, state, and federal governments, alongside security agencies, establish and execute comprehensive strategies to address drug-related threats.
The NDLEA, under the leadership of Buba Marwa, has experienced tragic losses, with numerous officers killed while enforcing drug laws since its inception in 1989. Imran’s death occurred while pursuing a suspected drug dealer who fatally wounded three others during an escape. Following the incident, a mob violently attacked Imran, ultimately leading to his demise in the hospital after they traced him.
Numerous NDLEA officers have suffered similarly tragic fates, with recent casualties including three officers killed in Kogi State in 2017 and several others murdered across different states in subsequent years. Despite these losses, successive Nigerian governments continue to fight against drug abuse and trafficking, which includes dangerous substances such as heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy. The NDLEA has achieved significant successes in seizing drugs through intelligence-driven operations.
Recent statistics indicate that the NDLEA has arrested over 57,792 drug traffickers, convicted 10,572, and seized over 9.9 million kilograms of drugs over a four-year period. This year alone, the agency apprehended 18,500 drug trafficking offenders, resulting in more than 220 hectares of cannabis farms being destroyed. These efforts underscore the ongoing commitment of the NDLEA to combating drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.
Reports indicate that drug abuse in Nigeria is most prevalent in the South-West region, followed by the South-South and South-East regions. The United Nations (UN) highlights that 14.4% of Nigerians aged 15 to 64 engage in drug abuse, leading to numerous social ills such as addiction, violence, and high rates of school dropouts among youth. The implications of this public health issue pose serious socio-economic burdens for the nation.
Tragically, drug misuse has pervaded schools, with students exposed to drug-laced cookies at parties. Traffickers employ diverse strategies to ship drugs internationally, occasionally targeting locations where the death penalty for trafficking exists. The National Drug Control Masterplan asserts that trafficking in Nigeria extends beyond cannabis and cocaine to include synthetic drugs and precursors like ephedrine and tramadol, which remains a major concern in public health policy.
The NDLEA has also taken proactive measures by detecting and dismantling meth laboratories and cannabis farms throughout Nigeria. Alarmingly, one in four drug users in Nigeria is a woman, a demographic that often suffers from stigma and invisibility, complicating treatment efforts. Meanwhile, the global hard drug market is estimated at $360 billion, with Nigeria categorized among the narco states in Africa.
In conclusion, addressing the drug epidemic in Nigeria necessitates a unified effort from all levels of government and law enforcement. High-profile incidents underline the dangers faced by the NDLEA in combating drug trafficking and abuse. Continued vigilance and strategic action are essential to dismantle drug networks, support those affected, and develop sustainable solutions in the fight against substance abuse throughout Nigeria.
Original Source: punchng.com
