NDLEA seeks public participation in fight against drug trafficking

Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, has called on Nigerians to get involved in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

Marwa spoke on Wednesday at a joint press conference with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja.

The briefing was to announce weeklong activities to commemorate this year’s World Drug Day.

World Drug Day is commemorated on June 26, and this year’s theme is ‘The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention’.

Marwa said the NDLEA will intensify its war against drug abuse (WADA) social advocacy initiatives to further support families, schools, communities, workplaces, places of worship, associations, and trade unions in raising awareness on the dangers of illicit drug use and how to avoid falling victim.

“It is vital to stress that the responsibility of shielding our citizens from harmful substances does not rest solely on the shoulders of the NDLEA,” he added.

“It is a collective duty — one that demands the involvement of all, including the general public.”

Marwa said the NDLEA has lined up a week-long series of events, including a Juma’at service at the National Mosque, Abuja on June 20, a walk against drug abuse in collaboration with MTN Nigeria Foundation and the University of Abuja in Gwagwalada on June 21, and a thanksgiving service at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Regional Church, Wuye, on June 22.

”We will begin the following week with the final stage of an essay competition on Monday, 23rd of June. In this round, schoolchildren will present letters they have written on the theme: ‘Why I Must Not Take Drugs’,” he said.

“Our focus on Tuesday, 24th of June, will be on out-of-school youth. To this end, we will conduct an outreach campaign in markets and motor parks across the FCT area councils, beginning at 8 am. Finally, on Thursday, 26th of June, which marks World Drug Day, we will hold the grand finale—a commemorative event at the State House Conference Centre, commencing at 9 am.”

Also speaking at the briefing, Cheikh Ousman Toure, UNODC country representative, represented by Danilo Campisi, deputy head of UNODC in Nigeria, emphasised the importance of preventive measures in addressing the global drug use problem.

“The illicit drug trade is deeply connected to other crimes, including human trafficking, illegal mining and environmental destruction,” he said.

“Its proceeds often finance violent extremist groups, further destabilising affected regions. Together these interconnected crimes are part of a vicious circles that entrench poverty, exploitation, institutional weakness and addiction.”

“Stopping drug trafficking requires long-term coordinated action to address supply and demand and prevent organised criminal groups from exploiting vulnerabilities.

“Most critically, we must involve the subnationals. The state governments must be actively involved in drug control efforts, working with NDLEA and other relevant entities to ensure the availability of evidence-based prevention and treatment programmes in their states. We will not make significant progress if interventions continue to be centralised.”