According to a 2021 study, “The Burden of Drug Abuse in Nigeria: A Scoping Review of Epidemiological Studies and Drug Laws”, Nigeria is one of the countries in the world that have been significantly impacted by drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking. It has been the burden of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to take on the challenge of putting a sizable dent in the business of these traffickers. The truth is the fight has not been a walk in the park
The NDLEA is a federal law enforcement agency under the Federal Ministry of Justice charged with eliminating the growing, processing, manufacturing, selling, exporting, and trafficking of hard drugs. It was established by Decree Number 48 of 1989. The Decree was promulgated chiefly in response to the rising trend in the demand for and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances which adversely affected the international image of Nigerians and Nigeria in the 1980s. Since then, the trafficking of illicit substances has become an organised criminal activity undermining the security and development of the country. Every government has rededicated itself to tackling the scourge of drug trafficking and agents of the NDLEA can be found at international airports, seaports, and border crossings. The NDLEA also targets leaders of narcotics and money laundering organisations.
After years of underperformance, the NDLEA appears to have woken up from its almost comatose state with the appointment of Buba Marwa, a retired senior military officer and former Military Administrator of Lagos State, as its Director General.
Before Marwa’s appointment, traffickers went almost unimpeded in their trade. Nigeria seemed to be once again “Open fit Business” in the market of hard and dangerous substances. Nipping the booming trade required the employment of a tactical mind with capacity to fix the problem.
This is what the country got when President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Mohammed Buba Marwa to take charge of the country’s floundering fight against hard drugs in January 2021. Since then, the NDLEA has been making strides in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking, as demonstrated by their recent efforts to stop Nsofor Chukwukadibia, a suspected drug lord and baron. The level of dedication to their roles in the agency, however, meant that his drug trafficking days were numbered. The agency busted him, froze all 126 of his bank accounts, which had over N50bn in turnover. In October of 2022, Chukwukadibia was arrested following the discovery of a large consignment of drugs worth N8.8bn in one of his mansions in the highbrow Victoria Garden City, Ajah area of Lagos. In addition to the drugs, the NDLEA also seized nine vehicles, including three bulletproof SUVs, and domiciliary accounts worth $381, 794.19 (about N267,255,933), £5,543.24 and N100m.
Also, the NDLEA’s seizure, in September last year, of 1.8 tonnes of cocaine worth “N194 billion” in Lagos is a testament to their effectiveness in the fight against drug trafficking. The drugs were found in a warehouse in the Ikorodu area of Lagos and five individuals, including a Jamaican, were arrested. The NDLEA has identified these individuals as kingpins of a cocaine cartel that the agency had been trailing since 2018. The drugs were stored in 10 travel bags and 13 drums and were intended to be sold to buyers in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world. It was the largest bust in the history of the agency.
In a continuous effort to combat drug trafficking and use in Nigeria, the NDLEA has had a busy start to the year. A few weeks ago, the agency reported a series of operations that have resulted in the destruction and burning of over 317,417 kgs of cannabis sativa, the seizure of 11.5kg of skunk, 24.5kg of cannabis indica, and a significant amount of counterfeit currency. These actions not only demonstrate the NDLEA’s commitment to reducing the supply and demand of illicit drugs in Nigeria, but also highlight the need for further public education about the dangers of drug use.
One of the most recent operations took place in the Opuje forests in Edo, where NDLEA operatives dealt a lethal blow to a cluster of cannabis syndicates operating in the area. The community of Opuje has a notorious reputation for cannabis cultivation, where cartels invest huge resources into the illegal trade, even going so far as to cut down economic trees in the forest to make way for large-scale cannabis cultivation. Four individuals, including a police impersonator, were arrested in connection with the drugs. Just a few days before that operation , the NDLEA, with the help of the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States, busted a criminal syndicate involved in the trafficking of fake American currency. In a combined operation with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a total of $269,000 in counterfeit currency was recovered and three suspects were arrested. The NDLEA commended the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and commitment.
In addition to these arrests, the NDLEA has also reported the interception of 11.5kg of skunk, made from unpollinated cannabis plants, at a courier company in Lagos. A freight agent was also arrested at the airport for attempting to export 1.5 kilograms of skunk hidden in foodstuffs. The NDLEA also intercepted a shipment of 24.5kg of cannabis indica from Canada and arrested one of the accomplices involved in the importation, while the other remains at large.
In their renewed drive under Marwa, NDLEA operatives have applied their efforts to extend beyond Nigeria’s borders, acting on agreements struck with countries like India to block the illegal importation of tramadol from the country. This is part of moves being made to significantly reduce the shipment of tramadol and other banned drugs into Nigeria, effectively crippling the criminal networks of some drug barons across Nigeria. In an effort to bring more attention to this issue and educate the public, the NDLEA has launched the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, which has been making its way to every community in Nigeria in the past two years.
These actions by the NDLEA demonstrate their dedication to reducing the supply and demand of drugs in Nigeria.
It also improves Nigeria’s standing in the international efforts to combat drug abuse while elevating the profile of Marwa, the field agents at the Agency and the NDLEA as an organisation of repute. Yet, the agency cannot do it all alone as religious bodies and faith-based organisations and the wider society also have roles to play. Marwa has continued to challenge these segments of the society to own the campaign against drug abuse while enjoining religious leaders to make it a constant feature in their sermons and evangelical activities. By doing so, we can all help to save the millions of Nigerian youths who are the demographic most affected by substance abuse and prevent many others from falling into the same trap.
However, for me, it is important to note that these efforts alone are not enough to solve the problem. It is imperative that there is also a focus on public education about the dangers of drug use and the negative consequences that stem from drug trafficking. It is essential that there is a concerted effort to educate the public, particularly young people, about the dangers of drug use and the consequences of drug trafficking. This education must come from both government and non-government organisations, as well as community leaders and parents. It must be sounded as alarming as possible that, in addition to the dangers of drug use to one’s physical and mental health, drug trafficking also fuels organised crime and contributes to a cycle of violence and corruption. The proceeds from drug trafficking often end up in the hands of criminal organisations that use the money to fund their illegal activities, perpetuating the cycle of crime and violence.
Furthermore, while the actions taken by the NDLEA are commendable, it is important to stress that more is done to address the root causes of drug trafficking and use in Nigeria. This requires a focus on public education and awareness, as well as continued efforts to disrupt drug trafficking operations and reduce the supply of drugs. By working together, Nigeria can make progress in reducing drug use and trafficking, ultimately making the country a safer place for all its citizens.
In conclusion, the fight against drug abuse and trafficking is an ongoing battle that requires the efforts of everyone in the community. The NDLEA’s WADA campaign and their recent efforts in arresting drug lords and seizing drugs are a step in the right direction. However, it is also important to educate the public on the dangers of drug use and the consequences of drug trafficking. This education can help prevent future generations from falling into the trap of drug abuse and provide them with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. NDLEA’s call for support from everyone is an important one, and I hope to see continued progress in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.
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