FG seizes N1.5trn drugs, records 5, 225 convictions in 18 months

The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to every initiative aimed at preventing illicit drug use, dismantling trafficking networks, expanding access to treatment and rehabilitation, and promoting the wellbeing of all Nigerians.

Also, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) revealed that its   operational feats in the last one and half years had yielded a total of 29, 262 arrests leading to the seizure of 5,305,484.88 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs valued at over N1.5 trillion and the conviction of 5,225 offenders.

The revelations were made Wednesday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the ongoing National Drug Use Summit themed “Addressing Illicit Drug Use and Trafficking: A Call to National Action.”

The event was jointly organised by the NDLEA, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Addressing the gathering, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said: “On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, and on behalf of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, I reaffirm our unwavering commitment to every initiative aimed at preventing illicit drug use, dismantling trafficking networks, expanding access to treatment and rehabilitation, and promoting the wellbeing of all Nigerians.”

Justifying the government’s stance on the drug scourge, the SGF, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary General Services (OSGF), Dr. Adamu Ibrahim Kana, stated that no nation will fold its hands while its youths are under the threat of substance abuse.

According to him, “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.

“This much we know, and this much must guide our resolve. This summit, therefore, presents a timely opportunity for us to renew our collective commitment, deepen our partnerships and chart a clear, coordinated pathway towards a healthier, safer and more resilient Nigeria.”

Welcome remarks

In his welcome address, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), said the summit was “convened as a national platform for reflection, dialogue and collective action on the growing burden of drug use and substance use disorders, coming on the heels of a weeklong world drug day programme dedicated to raising awareness, deepening understanding and renewing stakeholders’ resolve.”

According to him, such intensity “testifies to our shared commitment to confronting Nigeria’s evolving drug situation through coordinated, evidence-based and innovative action.”

“Over the years, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has remained steadfast in its mandate to combat this menace through a balanced and comprehensive approach. On the supply reduction front, the Agency has recorded significant successes in drug seizures, arrests, convictions and the dismantling of trafficking networks.

“Our operational feats in the last 18 months alone speak to this: a total of 29,262 arrests leading to the seizure of 5,305,484.88 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs valued at over N1.5 Trillion and the conviction of 5,225 offenders.

“Equally important have been our demand reduction efforts. Through the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, we have sustained nationwide awareness initiatives across communities, schools and institutions. We have broadened access to counselling, treatment and rehabilitation services, while advancing preventive interventions such as our school-based Non-Punitive Drug Testing Policy.

“Within the same period of 18 months, we have conducted 6,645 drug use prevention focused sensitization and awareness creation programmes in schools, worship centres, work places, markets, motor parks and communities, and correctional facilities, among others, equipping nearly five million Nigerians with the life skills to resist drug abuse. Equally significant is the counselling, treatment and rehabilitation of 13,508 drug users across our 31 rehab centres spread all over the country.

“Worthy of particular note, too, is the launch of the Alternative Development Initiative for cannabis sativa growers, designed to support their transition from illicit cultivation to cash crop production and other sustainable livelihoods,” said the NDLEA boss.

He noted that despite the efforts and successes recorded in recent years by the agency in drug supply and drug demand reduction, it has become increasingly clear that no single institution can successfully confront the drug problem in isolation.

“The scale of this challenge demands a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response, one that mobilises every stakeholder: government institutions, communities, families, development partners, the private sector, religious and traditional leaders, civil society and the media.

“This Summit is therefore both timely and necessary. It aligns with the global call to confront persisting drug challenges with innovative, collaborative responses, and it offers us a unique opportunity to build consensus around a coordinated National Action Plan, one that strengthens prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, data collection, policy implementation and community resilience,” he added.

He expressed confidence that through partnership, shared responsibility and sustained commitment, Nigeria can significantly reduce the burden of drug use and build a healthier, safer and more prosperous nation.

Health minister

In his remarks, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said:  “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. The Federal Ministry of Health stands ready to lead, to coordinate, to collaborate and to deliver.”

Also speaking, the Country Representative, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Mr. Cheikh Toure, represented by Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga, commended the strong collaboration across ministries, agencies, civil society, the private sector, and development partners.

He described the gathering as a powerful demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to addressing the drug challenge in a coordinated and forward-looking manner.

The summit is being attended by relevant ministries, departments and agencies of government; development partners; the military and security agencies; NGOs, and civil society organisation, among others.

Senate to criminalise drug hawking

Meanwhile, the Senate Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking stiffer penalties, stronger enforcement powers and a comprehensive framework to combat fake drugs, adulterated medical products and unwholesome processed foods.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Umar Sadiq Suleiman (Kwara North), specifically criminalises the production, importation, manufacture, transportation, distribution, sale, possession and facilitation of counterfeit medical products, fake drugs and unwholesome processed foods.

It also outlaws the manufacture or possession of labels, wrappers, packaging materials and equipment intended for counterfeit production by proposing 15- year jail term for offenders.

The bill further prohibits the sale or hawking of drugs in unauthorised locations, including markets, motor parks, roadside stalls, buses, ferries and unlicensed online platforms.

It proposes stringent punishments, including prison terms of up to 15 years for serious offences, heavy fines, compensation for victims or their families and sanctions against corporate organisations and their directors found culpable.

 In his lead debate, Senator Suleiman said the bill seeks to repeal the obsolete Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Act, Cap. C34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, replacing it with a modern legal framework capable of addressing emerging threats posed by counterfeit medicines, fake drugs, adulterated cosmetics, mislabelled chemicals and unsafe processed foods.

He noted that advances in technology, online marketing, cross-border trafficking and organised criminal networks had rendered the existing law inadequate to effectively tackle the growing menace.

According to him, the legislation is fundamentally aimed at protecting Nigerians from preventable deaths and disabilities caused by fake medicines while restoring confidence in the country’s healthcare system and pharmaceutical industry.

To strengthen enforcement, the bill, according to him, empowers the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to deploy modern product tracking technologies, establish national and state enforcement task forces, inspect facilities, seize counterfeit products, arrest suspects, seal offending premises and strengthen surveillance at Nigeria’s ports of entry.

Describing the legislation as a life-saving intervention, Suleiman said the proposal goes beyond punishment by seeking to protect public health, safeguard legitimate businesses, improve consumer confidence and align Nigeria’s anti-counterfeit regime with global best practices.

The bill received overwhelming support from senators, who contributed immensely during debate.

For instance, in his contribution, Senator Samson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South), who described the legislation as timely and long overdue, said “counterfeit medicines had become so widespread that the principal beneficiaries are casket makers due to avoidable deaths.”

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin also supported the bill, but stressed the need to clearly establish its relationship with the NAFDAC Act.

He urged the committee handling the bill to clearly demonstrate that the proposed legislation was intended to strengthen and not duplicate the powers of NAFDAC.

In his remarks before referring the bill to committee, Senate President Akpabio thanked senators for their robust contributions, noting that concerns over the relationship between the proposed law and NAFDAC had been adequately highlighted and would be addressed during the public hearing.

Following the voice votes in favour of the second reading of the bill,  Akpabio thereafter referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), directing it to submit its report to the Senate within four weeks.