The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), has raised concerns about a projected surge in drug use across Africa. According to Marwa, global estimates suggest a 10-11% rise in drug use worldwide, but Africa is expected to experience a much higher increase of up to 40%. This alarming trend poses a significant threat to the continent’s public health and safety.
Marwa made this known while receiving a delegation from the African Union Commission at the NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja. He emphasized the need for urgent and coordinated action to mitigate the looming crisis. The NDLEA boss’s warning comes on the heels of the agency’s continued efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria. In recent months, the agency has made significant seizures of illicit drugs, including N3.4 billion worth of opioids and 6.4 million pills of tramadol.
The NDLEA has also been working to dismantle drug networks and arrest suspects involved in drug trafficking. In one notable operation, the agency busted a drug syndicate and arrested multiple suspects across various states in Nigeria. The agency’s efforts have led to the arrest of over 62,000 suspects and the conviction of more than 11,000 individuals for drug-related offenses between 2021 and 2023.
The agency’s chairman has expressed concern about the role of syndicates in perpetuating drug trafficking and abuse. He noted that some individuals and groups are exploiting vulnerabilities in the system to smuggle illicit drugs into the country. To combat this, the NDLEA is working to improve its intelligence-gathering capabilities and collaborate with other agencies to disrupt drug trafficking networks.
The looming surge in African drug use is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention. The NDLEA’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse are crucial in addressing this challenge. However, more needs to be done to prevent the predicted surge and ensure a safer and healthier society for all Africans.
