Curbing The Scourge Of Drug Trafficking And Abuse In Nigeria -By Gozie Irogboli

Little was known about hard drugs trafficking and consumption in Nigeria except the locally produced cannabis (Indian hemp) until 1984 when the then military government promulgated Decree 20 of 1984 which was retroactively applied to execute three convicted drug pushers: Bartholomew Owoh, Lawal Akanni Ojuolape and Bernard Ogedengbe in April 10, 1985, drawing local and global attention. But, despite the harsh law, illicit drug trafficking did not reduce as records show that more and more Nigerians were apprehended with the banned drugs locally and internationally requiring an affirmative action on drug law enforcement.

And in 1989, following the United Nation’s 1988 Vienna Convention against Illicit Trafficking in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, the Nigeria military government under Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida established the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) through decree 48 of 1989 to tackle the rising trend in illicit drug trafficking that was negatively affecting Nigeria’s international image and national security.

Before now, Nigeria was seen by many as mere transit route for drug couriers as many Nigerians have very little knowledge about the existence and use of hard drug. But not so anymore; the use of illicit drug in Nigeria is widespread now. The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) survey of 2018 reveals that about 14.3 million Nigerian between the ages of 15 and 64, that is about 14.4% of that age bracket are drug users. This figure is nearly three times the global average of about 5.6%. And today, the illicit drug abuse has assumed a pandemic and frightening proportion. And the international drug regulatory agencies believe that: “the scourge of drug trafficking in West Africa and the Sahel and the increasing sophistication operations launched by drug cartels is an issue of great concern”.

As noted earlier, the only illicit substance consumed in Nigeria before the recent upsurge in substance abuse is the locally cultivated cannabis and some other local hooch and later cocaine and diamorphine (heroin). But today, according to the drug use in Nigeria report from the anti-drug-trafficking agency, Nigerians consume different types of substances from the locally produced cannabis, and other dangerous opioid substances such as: tramadol, codeine, methamphetamine (nkpulu nmiri), colarado, cocaine, heroin, morphine, etc. In the past those who consume our locally cultivated hemp do so hiding. But today, it is a different thing and this is terrifying as we see illicit drug users do that in public: in the parks, schools, drinking joints, market places, street corner and sundry other places with impunity. Nigerian now has many drug barons and countless of couriers.

The cause of the recent upsurge in drug-trafficking and abuse is traceable to a number of factors. First, is the issue of poverty and unemployment, prevalent in the land and its attendant frustration that has forced many youth into drug-trafficking. Closely related to this also, is the get-rich-quick syndrome among Nigerians. The desperation among the youths to “make it” at all costs has pushed many into drug-trafficking. Again, most drug users do so out frustration, peer group influence and ignorance. But, the illicit drug trade has always thrived because of the existence of the drug cartel that exploit the corruption and inadequate funding of anti-narcotics agency to operate. The criminal drug syndicates exploit our porous borders and weak state infrastructure and poor regulatory control to distribute dangerous substances to their victims.

And the effects of this substance trafficking and abuse can be felt in our society today among the youth. The use of hard drugs is destroying our youths, that is supposed to be the most active and vibrant segment of our population. The negative impact can be seen in different areas. Narcotics trafficking is an existential threat to societal stability, public health and national security. It is fueling hooliganism, violence, terrorism, banditry and economic crisis in more ways that we can imagine.

To the individual the narcotic consumption alters the brain chemistry and bodily functions. It can induce depression and mental health disorder. It can damage the organ of the user and complicated health issues and death. The behavioral effect can be seen in the area of addiction and dependence. On the social sphere, it can lead to strained relationships, mood swing, violence and social vices. Most criminals carry out their nefarious acts under the influence of drugs. In the area of economics drug consumption is a very expensive and wasteful habit that creates financial instability. Drug users are always drowsy and this can lead to low productivity and reduced personal effectiveness. Of course, there is always the legal consequences of being caught with drugs and the social scandal associated with it.

There is therefore the need to fight illicit drug trafficking and abuse. But, fighting drug war in the face of the prevailing circumstances and the increasing sophistication of the criminal elements involved in the illicit drug trade seems to be a herculean task. The Nigerian narcotic agency (NDLEA) has a lot to do from investigation, surveillance, intelligence gathering, enforcement, arrest, prosecution of offenders, staff training, administration, prevention treatment and rehabilitation and public awareness/enlightenment campaigns. And clearly, the agency alone cannot do all of these considering, the present situation and its constrained budget. Therefore curbing the menace of drug-trafficking and abuse will not be left in the hands of the narcotic agents alone. It will require the concerted effort of all: other government agencies, schools, corporate bodies, inter-faith organizations, parents, not-for-profit organizations among others. Fighting drug war will require proactive stakeholders’ engagement, effective inter-agency synergy, drug supply disruption and sustained enlightenment campaigns.

Indeed, our narcotic agency needs strong support to prosecute the drug war especially in the areas of funding, intelligence, advocacy and sensitization. Advocacy and sensitization can solve the problem of ignorance that has led many into drugs cases. In January, 2007, a 21-year-old Nigeria footballer, Iwuchukwu Amara Tochi was executed in Singapore when he was found with 700 grams of heroin which he allegedly carried on behalf of someone else. And despite diplomatic shuttles and international appeal for clemency when it was discovered that he was an innocent victim, he was still executed by the Singaporean authorities. Public sensitization would have saved the life of the young Iwuchukwu Amara Tochi who ignorantly fell into the hand of drug couriers.

Interestingly, the NDLEA under the leadership of Brig-general Buba Marwa has created different platforms to enable stakeholders’ participation in the war against drug trafficking and abuse like the School and Youth Outreach, Community and Grassroots Mobilization, Media and Public Enlightenment Campaigns, Stakeholders’ Collaboration and Rehab and Counselling and has gone ahead to establish the Alternative Development Program which is like an amnesty program designed to empower the local growers of cannabis to stop and take up farming of legitimate crops. The NDLEA alternative development program has been internationally acknowledged as the first of its kind in Africa.

In this regard, I wish to commend Uplifting Youth through Agriculture (UYOTA), one of the nation’s foremost NGO committed to assisting and empowering the youth to take up agriculture as alternative to paid unemployment, for its effort aimed at sensitizing the youth on the dangers of drug abuse and its desire to partner with the NDLEA, a move that has received official endorsement, for the purpose of carrying out enlightenment and sensitization campaign against drug-trafficking and abuse and participation in NDLEA alternative development program to rehabilitate and empower growers of cannabis to grow legitimate crop. And I wish to enjoin other Nigerian NGOs and corporate bodies to see the fight against drug-trafficking and abuse as part of their corporate social responsibility. A drug-free Nigeria will be to the benefit of all.

Gozie Irogboli

(goziei@yahoo.com)

An economist, banker, a novelist and public policy analyst