NDLEA partners ECAPI to wage war against illicit drugs in Nigeria

By Nehru Odeh

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Strategic Command, has taken its fight against illicit drugs in Nigeria several notches higher. And it has done so in collaboration with the Eagle Crime Awareness and Prevention Initiative (ECAPI), a security-focused non-governmental organisation, through a two-day training programme aimed at eradicating illicit drugs in Nigeria via intelligence gathering and advocacy.

The two-day training programme, themed “Anti-Drugs Field Intelligence and Advocacy Agent Training,” organised by ECAPI, was held on 28 and 29 August at the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area Secretariat, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos.

It was a time of lectures and revelations. Not only were the trainees—who were trained as detectives and undercover agents—enlightened on how to win the war against drugs, they also learned many things that were previously unknown. These included the various types of drugs, the methods of their concealment, identification and integrity of evidence, and the intricacies of drug abuse.

Trainees also practised community sensitisation and anti-drug advocacy techniques, among other activities. At the end of the training, the participants, now well-versed in the modus operandi of the war against drugs, were issued ID cards and certificates.

What made the programme particularly noteworthy was that it marked a collaboration between state and non-state actors. NDLEA officers trained members of ECAPI on how to eradicate drugs in society through intelligence gathering and advocacy. This partnership is expected to significantly support the NDLEA by providing it with a network of field intelligence officers, detectives (undercover agents), and advocates across the country.

“This training NDLEA is giving us is free. It involves nothing more than training our children and Nigerians. We want to support the NDLEA mandate. That’s just what we stand for in ECAPI,” said Amb. Mayor Eniola Adam, President of ECAPI.

The event was officially flagged off by CN Abubakar Liman Wali, Commandant, NDLEA Lagos State Strategic Command, while the Chairman of the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Council, Otunba Kehinde Oloyede, delivered the keynote address. ECAPI President, Amb. Samuel Eniola Adam, also gave a goodwill message.

NDLEA officers, displaying professionalism throughout the programme, delivered impactful lectures using tools and techniques such as PowerPoint presentations and case studies.

Some of the NDLEA officers who lectured at the event and their topics included:

• AGGN Jane Ibiba (rtd): “Synopsis of the National Drug Control Master Plan”

• CN Chinerem Eziaghighala: “Drug Situation in Lagos and the Way Forward”

• ACN Yusuf Kaita: “Modes of Concealment of Drugs – Case Study”

• CN Lamuwa Shehu: “Understanding Drug Abuse Prevention Education”

• Abdulaziz Akinsola: “The Imperatives of Community Relations with LEAs”

Participants were divided into three groups and given assignments to test their knowledge, which they presented on the final day. The first group addressed how parents can help prevent drug abuse. The second group focused on drug abuse in schools and how to curb it from the students’ perspective. The third group discussed advocacy strategies targeted at area boys and thugs addicted to drugs in parks and garages.

“In a nutshell, I can tell you that the trainees here have really done justice by coming here today to learn, and they have something to go home with,” said Det. Reagan Onuoha, ECAPI Lagos State Commander.

Speaking with journalists, Amb. Mayor Eniola Adam, President and founder of ECAPI, expressed his appreciation to the NDLEA, especially its Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, “who has been working tirelessly to make sure drug crime is eradicated in Nigeria.”

“We called on them (NDLEA) to come educate and enlighten our people on undercover work, that is, as detectives, to provide information about these drug cartels in our society for the sake of our children and youths. Because of the lack of jobs, many of our youths have turned to illicit drugs and related crimes,” he said.

Adam also spoke on the necessity of the collaboration between NDLEA and ECAPI, which has been in existence for nine years, and highlighted what the two-day programme achieved.

“The reason for organising this event is because of our children. In every community, you’ll see many children roaming around and abusing drugs. I can tell you authoritatively that most of our members intercept them. Our membership strength is over 250,000 nationwide, with more than 50,000 in Lagos alone.

“That’s why we told the NDLEA, ‘You can’t do this job alone.’ Their staff strength is limited. With our manpower, we can provide well-processed information about all these black spots. With this synergy, we’ll get results and our communities will be drug-free.

“We’ve achieved a lot in the past two days. I saw things I’d never seen before. They gave us practical, hands-on training and showed us what these drugs look like. We saw them live. Kudos to the NDLEA—they’re the best when it comes to eradicating drugs from our society.

“The real question is, what can we do for our community? What can we do for our country? Not what we want to achieve. We need to save the lives of our children. That’s our concern in ECAPI,” Adam concluded.

HRM Prof. Oloruntoba Timothy, the Oluokun of Okunland, described the two-day training as impactful and wished it could be extended to a week or more. According to him, while the government has done much, it still needs support from non-state actors.

“Government is trying, but the effort is not enough. That’s why ECAPI has stepped in. This is the only organization in Nigeria that has truly taken the bull by the horns to fight this cause alongside NDLEA… What struck me the first time I was introduced to ECAPI was their vision and mission,” said the traditional ruler, who is also a professor of surgery and has been with ECAPI since its inception.

Chief Mrs. Omotayo Oyeyemi, National Provost of ECAPI, said she was glad to be part of the programme, having seen first-hand what youths face on the streets.

“Being part of this has given me the privilege to fight drugs in our country. When I hear something, I see something, I say something. I’m now thinking of how to start advocacy in my community, talk to landlords, and teach them how to detect drugs and help the youth,” she said.

Oyeyemi emphasized the role of parents: “Parents have a lot to do. Many are too busy chasing money, while the children are left unsupervised. Some parents say, ‘I trust my child.’ No, not anymore. The only child you can trust is the one you’re looking at in your room. Once they leave the house, anything can happen. So, we must teach parents how to detect these signs. They are key to winning this battle.”

Chief Praveed K. Sham, who has lived in Nigeria for 46 years and is part of ECAPI, sees the fight from a patriotic perspective: “This is our country. We have to make it proud. We must educate our children. These drugs are harmful to health. That’s my message to all parents and children.”

Det. Kemi Ewans, a participant and ECAPI member for four years, said she joined the organization to serve humanity through community policing and advocacy:

“We found out that the government can’t do everything. But now, we have a direct link with NDLEA. We can contact them, work with churches, mosques, and youth groups. My children are my tomorrow. I can’t imagine that future being destroyed.”

She added: “I’ve learned a lot about drugs I never knew existed. For example, I had heard of ‘ice’ but thought it meant normal ice. Now, I know better.”

Det. Bose Olubo Adegeye, ECAPI’s National Publicity Director, said volunteering with the group since age 12 has been rewarding. But this was the most fulfilling experience yet:

“The drug issue is alarming. I’m empowered now. I can speak confidently, educate others about the dangers of drugs, and raise awareness globally. I thank NDLEA and ECAPI for organising this conference.”

Det. Reagan Onuoha, ECAPI Lagos State Commander and National Training Coordinator, thanked CN Abubakar Liman Wali for giving ECAPI the opportunity to partner with NDLEA.

“The fight against drugs is a billion-dollar fight. This collaboration with NDLEA is a step in the right direction. Our members have shown great enthusiasm. They’ve been cooperative and are now presenting what they’ve learned.

“This is mainly for ECAPI members. We train them to go out and disseminate life-saving information. Many suffer because they lack information. This training equips them. Today, only one percent of our members are here,” he explained.

Onuoha also stressed that security is everyone’s responsibility: “Security is not just for the police—it’s everyone’s business. Our traditional rulers, religious and community leaders must rally around organisations like ECAPI and pass the message along. Advocacy must continue beyond this programme. It’s not just an ECAPI/NDLEA project—it’s everyone’s project.”

The issuance of certificates and ID cards marked the end of a two-day programme that was not only educational but also inspirational and empowering. As participants left, they did so armed with the knowledge and tools to make a real difference in the fight against illicit drugs.