The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was established by Decree Number 48 of 1989 and charged with the mandate of eliminating the growing, processing, manufacturing, selling, exporting, and trafficking of hard drugs. However, 20 years down the line, with drug abuse is still prevalent in the country. PAUL OKAH in this report seeks to know whether or not the agency is delivering on its mandate.
Since its establishment by the Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida military regime, the NDLEA has been waging war against drug trafficking in different parts of the country.
With its head office in Ikoyi, Lagos, the agency maintains its presence at international airports, seaports and border crossing, trying to curtail drug smuggling, especially marijuana, cocaine and other hard drugs, into or out of Nigeria.
Apart from raiding houses and arresting suspected smokers and sellers of marijuana, the agency has also been destroying plantings. The NDLEA has also been targeting leaders of narcotics and money laundering organisations.
Regrettably, despite its sustained war against the menace, according to the agency, it appears not to be gathering momentum, as there are daily reports of marijuana being smuggled into different states through interstate borders, thus rendering NDLEA’s efforts seemingly ineffective.
Also, there are reports of some NDLEA officials allegedly getting involved in the same offence they are mandated to fight against, thereby putting a question mark on the sincerity or otherwise of the agency delivering on its mandate.
Origin
Cannabis, now locally grown in most states across the country, was introduced into Nigeria by foreigners. The country representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ms Dagmar Thomas, says Nigeria is one of the largest cannabis growers in Africa, with over 8% of the population abusing cannabis. According to her, annual cannabis seizures increased from 126 metric tonnes in 2005 to 210 metric tonnes in 2007.
Also, the NDLEA states that the South-west region of the country is one of the main centres of illicit drug production. 196.5 acres (0.795 km2) of cannabis farmland was discovered and destroyed in the region in 2008. In particular, Edo state has the highest rate of seizure of cannabis in the country.
NDLEA’s spirited actions
On December 10, the NDLEA in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital, destroyed 11,669 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances worth about N1.65 billion.
According to its commander in the state, Justice Arinze, the exhibits were seized from dealers in the state, giving the breakdown of the exhibits to include 8,632.82 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa and 3, 0636 kilogrammes of psychotropic substances such as Tramadol, Codeine and Rophynol.
Arinze said the destruction of the drugs was significant in view of their negative consequences on society which included mental disorder, violent crimes, kidnapping and other social vices, assuring members of the public of NDLEA’s commitment to riding Nasarawa of criminal drug syndicates seeking to make the state a hub for illicit drug cultivation, trafficking and consumption.
In his remarks, the chairman of NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Abdullah (retd.), said the destruction of the drugs was to safeguard public health and safety.
Abdullah, represented by the director, technical services, Suleiman Ningi, said Nasarawa is vulnerable to drug shipment given its strategic location and proximity to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He said available record indicates high drug use in North-central resulting in very disturbing health-related problems among the youth, but thanked thea state government for the support in the fight against illicit drugs.
29 arrested in Edo
On December 3, 2019, the agency’s Edo state commander, Mr. Buba Wakawa, disclosed to reporters that the agency arrested 29 suspected drug traffickers, comprising 23 males and six females, who were arrested in November and were in possession of about 3,756.82 kilo grammes of narcotics.
According to the commander, the bulk of the seized drugs were cannabis commonly referred to as marijuana, revealing that one of the suspects said the love for money led him into the criminal act.
“I was a commercial motorcyclist until things became difficult. A friend took me to Sobe to farm cannabis. He said that I will make enough money to settle myself and my family. The first year was poor and the second year, thieves and bush fire destroyed my harvest. This year, I decided to bring my harvest home but unfortunately NDLEA officers arrested me and seized my drug,” the commander quoted the suspect to have said.
He said the suspect from Ondo state and married with a child was found in possession of 684 kilogrammes of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis and would soon be charged to court.
Wakawa also disclosed that the state command had inaugurated a Special Patrol Squad to tackle illicit cases of drug trafficking and abuse especially as we approach the end of year festive season.
Charley Boy’s take
On December 8, apparently mocking the efforts of the NDLEA at curbing drug abuse, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charley Boy, writing in Pidgin English, openly declared in his social media handles that smoking marijuana is good for him and, through replies to comments, enjoined youth to join him in the act.
He wrote: “Fela didn’t smoke igbo pass me. Naira Marley is an apprentice for weed. The first time I smoked weewee (cannabis) was during the Biafran war in 1968 in my village, Oguta. It was introduced to me by one of my naughty cousins. I suffered a lot and prayed God to save me. I didn’t realise I was only suffering from hallucinogenic paranoia. However, two months after that, as I didn’t run mad, I became a confirmed Igbo smoker.
“Since I’ve been in the world, I’ve been smoking marijuana for about 55 years now and I think it’s a tremendous blessing. In fact, I make bold to say that I started smoking Igbo before Fela. In fact, Baba Fela didn’t smoke more than me. The only difference is that he advertised it a lot. I just kept mine under wraps for a very long time. Smoking weed always make me feel more creative, more probing and more at ease with myself.”
He further wrote: “Aside from these positive impacts on my medulla oblongata, cannabis has also helped heal my body in a way none of you can imagine. I have used marijuana to help treat some joint pains I have. It has also helped me to deal with my depression and anxiety. Sometimes, I have used it to regain my appetite loss. Cannabis, marijuana, weed, Indian hemp, weewee, zazavooo, call it whatever turns you on is now very popular than ever, as more and more places choose to legalise marijuana. I even heard Oyo state wants to start exporting the natural grass.”
A dealer’s revelation
In an exclusive chat with Blueprint Weekend, a hard drugs dealer in Ebonyi state, who agreed to an interview with our reporter on the condition that his name or address will not be printed, disclosed that he is still in business because he settles the NDLEA officials in his zone of operation very well.
He said, “The truth is that drug business is profitable. I started life as a fisherman in Cross River state, which was the occupation of my parents in the 1980s. I used to ferry passengers and drug traffickers and soon got used to their modus operandi of hiding marijuana in bags of garri. Of course, the weeds are cultivated in some parts of Cross River state and also very cheap.
“So, I soon joined the business in the 1990s and it has been smooth sailing. All you have to do is to keep a monthly savings to settle the zonal commander of the NDLEA and you are good to go. We are good friends. Many of the officials even come to my bunk to smoke in mufti and when they are off duty.
“That you hear them raiding hideouts or arresting petty dealers is because the upstarts don’t have money to settle them. I am still in business because I settle them. Even when there is a change in command, the new commander would usually identify his presence by raiding my outfit and arresting me. However, after settling terms, I would come back within days and business goes on. There is no secret to it, this is Nigeria; you can always bribe your way through anything.”
Lagos commander reads riot act
On December 9, the agency’s commander in Lagos state, Mr. Ralph Igwenagu, said he would ensure that the state emerged a hard-drug free state.
Igwenagu took over from CN Frederick Ezeorah as the new NDLEA, Lagos command and he assumed duties on December 2; he was in charge of Oyo state before his deployment to Lagos.
He said this in Lagos while unveiling his agenda for the state, adding that the agency would collaborate with other security agencies to improve on the peace currently existing in the state.
The commander also said his regime would consolidate on the achievements of his predecessors and ensure that all necessary data that would help the command enhance its service delivery remained intact.
“The indigenes of the state must also be able to go to bed without fears of any criminality of any kind. At this point, the agency is seeking the cooperation of all Lagosians by providing it with credible information on those involved in illicit drugs. This will enable the agency to conduct proper investigations into such activities and bring the perpetrators to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
Doctors sensitise FCT residents
On November 27, 2019, resident doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) embarked on campaign at Wuse Market, Abuja, to educate traders and shoppers on the dangers of drug abuse.
The campaign was led by the president, Association of Resident Doctors, FCT, Dr Roland Aigbovo, as part of activities to mark the association’s Health Week.
He said many people resort to substance abuse to ease off stress, adding that “people now take refuge in drugs to cover up stress, believing that once someone is high, he or she will forget their problems.”
According to him, global burden of mental health disorder is projected to reach 15 per cent by the year 2020 and that the resident doctors embarked on the campaign to draw government and public attention to mental health issues.
He said, “This had resulted in suicide, a lot of people had taken their lives as a result of drug abuse. You will agree with me that suicide is alien to African culture, we are not used to taking our lives no matter the stress; unfortunately, things are changing..
“The medical profession is not left out of this menace because this year alone, between January and June, close to four doctors took their lives. If those that have been trained to provide people with healthcare become patients to the extent of taking their lives, it is a source of huge concern.”
Agency to hold surveillance in FCT
On November 21, 2019, NDLEA said it was embarking on a 24-hour surveillance in the FCT to rid the city of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
The chairman, NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (retd..) stated this during a presentation of appreciation letter by the Wuse Zone 4 Traders Association (WZ4TA), disclosing that the high rate of drug abuse in the country had necessitated the need for the surveillance, adding that it would be a permanent exercise.
“I must say this is the main reason for the recruitment of 15,000 officers and men approved by the President, knowing that the agency is in need of manpower to carry out its operations effectively. The first phase of the recruitment had been done and we will commence the second phase as soon as possible. We will start with 5,000 before the year runs out so they can start their training in January.
“The Minister of the FCT, Muhammad Bello, had been on the same page with the agency and every step we have taken had been supported by the minister. And with other sister agencies, we have been able to carry out operations successfully and we promise to do more,” he said.
The chairman, WZ4TA, Mr. Abdullahi Abubakar, appreciated the NDLEA boss and the agency for the positive transformation in Zone 4.
“I was pained seeing children and youths involved in drugs, prostitution and other forms of social vices. I came to the NDLEA to lay my complaint and I am happy that the agency accepted and helped in ridding the area of drug peddlers. Everybody in Abuja knows what Zone 4 is, but today, we are grateful for the changes so far, for cleaning FCT. I think that if we as Nigerians play our roles well, like what the NDLEA has done, then the country will move forward,” he said.
Hajia Zainab Aliyu, a resident of Zone 4, commended the NDLEA for cleaning the community, adding that youths and children are the future of Nigeria. She decried the use of drugs by youth in the area, adding that it had jeopardised the good and beautiful future they had.
“Some of them are directly at the back of my house selling drugs and doing drugs. Sometimes I walk up to them and counsel them. I have helped some of them to gain admission into university and even took one to a rehabilitation centre. NDLEA have done well but need to do more to ensure old wounds are not opened again,” she said.
Health minister’s lamentations
On November 22, 2019, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said the current drug situation in Nigeria is a public health crisis of unprecedented proportions.
Ehanire said this during the two-day 22nd Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFON) in Abuja.
The minister, represented by the Minister of State, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, said the theme of the conference, “Drug Abuse: The Scourge on Families and Nigeria as a Nation,” was apt as it would provide platforms to address drug abuse challenges.
According to him, the 2018 National Drug Use Survey shows an estimate of 14.3 million people between 15 years and 64 years abusing drugs.
“This signifies a marked increase of about 8.8 per cent compared to results from a prior survey conducted in 2016 and more than twice the global average.
“It is apparent that the current drug situation in Nigeria is a public health crisis of unprecedented proportions,” he said.
He, therefore, charged SOFON, community leaders and other relevant stakeholders to offer health promotion and prevention services within the community that would help limit the spread of drug abuse.
“As frontline providers of person-centred health care, it is within the domains of practice of Family Physicians to identify and provide early diagnosis, treatment and referral services for drug abuse and mental health disorders where appropriate.”
Way forward
Available information shows that the United States donated full body scanning machines for the Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt international airports and provided security training and orientation to airport officers. The machines have proved effective in catching smugglers and couriers taking cocaine from Latin America to Europe by way of Nigeria.
However, with the alleged complicity of the officials of NDLEA in aiding the smuggling and use of drugs, it remains to be seen if the war against drug trafficking can be won in the near future and that Nigeria can be certified drug- free.
