FG Urged To Support Drug War

The Federal Government should support the war against drug trafficking in Nigeria by providing more funding for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, stakeholders said on Wednesday as the country marked the 2013 World Drug Day.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, were among those who called for intense and persistent war against drug trafficking cartels in Nigeria.

They made their submissions at the 2013 international day against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking held at the Women Development Centre, Abuja, the country’s capital.

Honourable Jagaba Adams Jagaba, House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Narcotic Drugs and Financial Crime called for improved funding for the NDLEA to effectively discharge its functions.

“Drug production, trafficking and abuse is responsible for crimes like terrorism, armed robbery and violence that subject humanity to untold suffering and pain. It is therefore logical that funds be made available to the Agency to perform,” he said.

The United Nations adopted 26 June of every year as world drug day through resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade in his welcome address urged participants to look beyond the festivities and imbibe the fundamental objectives for the annual commemoration which centres on a collective drive for a drug-free society.

“We have made the commemoration to transcend beyond mere pomp and pageantry. The past one week has witnessed various anti-drug abuse education programmes with the active participation of stakeholders.

“Our community mobilisation initiatives include anti-drug rally, children talk show and drama competition, public education on the dangers inherent in drug production, trafficking and abuse among many others,” Giade said.

The Minister of Justice who was the chief host at the event said that government will provide the NDLEA with the needed support to operate optimally.

“The huge resources derived from illicit drug trade cannot be ignored because criminals can undermine governments and economies with such proceeds. Illicit drug activities of cartels must therefore be stopped in the interest of public peace and security. Government will therefore ensure that the agency has what it needs to operate optimally,” Adoke said.

The minister who was represented by his special assistant, Chibueze Okorie, expressed concern about report that some children start abusing drug as early as age 10.

“The various agents of socialisation in the society, such as the churches, mosques, schools and opinion leaders must live up to their responsibilities by supporting the efforts of the NDLEA. Let us give our children timely anti-drug education and guide them on the right path because they are the leaders of tomorrow,” Adoke said.

According to Speaker Tambuwal who was the Special Guest at the event, “some of the consequences of illicit drug ventures are the destabilisation and destruction of national economies, frustration of monetary and fiscal control, and inflation due to laundering of proceeds from illegitimate sources. A serious implication of the vast assets derived from illicit drug trade is that it can be used to influence political decisions and overthrow legitimate governments.”

Dr Rahman Lawal, Chief Medical Director, Federal Neuro-pschiatric Hospital Yaba who was the guest lecturer educated participants on the subject, The Emergence of Amphetamine Production in Nigeria: A Threat to National Security and Economy.

He listed consequences of drugs to include mental illness similar to paranoid schizophrenia, malnutrition, blockage of blood vessels, increased susceptibility to illness due to poor diet and death due to CVA (Stroke), heart failure, or high fever.

—Simon Ateba