The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has solicited for the support of the maritime industry stakeholders in the area of intelligence and information sharing to enable it dismantle drug smuggling networks across West African region.
Speaking in a message to mark 2020 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Omolade Faboyede, director in charge of seaport operations, said since mid- 2000, West Africa has emerged as a transit point for trafficking of cocaine from South America to Europe such that United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) estimated that $1.25 billion worth of cocaine passed the region in 2010 alone.
She raised alarm that there has been massive movement of Cannabis Sativa from Ghana to Nigerian waters, adding that there are 200 million illicit drug users worldwide.
On behalf of Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (Rtd), chairman /chief executive of NDLEA, she noted that maritime stakeholders support has become very crucial because drugs are usually concealed in bulk cargoes, containers, cars, freight vehicles, trailers or coaches, ship hull and speed boats in connivance with port staff.
While stating that drug trafficking tarnishes the image of a country, impact negatively on the security, and economy, Faboyede said that Nigeria must have the political will to tackle drug trafficking by strengthening and funding agencies like NDLEA.
According to her, about 190,000 people die yearly to illicit drugs, which shows that drug trafficking, is a threat to human live, national development and security.
Faboyede listed the commonly trafficked drugs to include Cocaine, Heroin, Morphine, Cannabis Sativa and Crystal Methamphetamine, and that they can be trafficked by air, land and sea.
“Drug trafficking through the sea has been a security problem for all countries of the region because it involves the movement of large quantity drugs. The trafficking of narcotic drugs by sea has virtually become an industry comprised of many individual and enterprises of varying sizes. It is an attraction for major international criminal organisations and terrorist,” she said.
Faboyede said that this year’s theme, ‘Better Knowledge for Better Care’ depicts the need for improved understanding of the world drug problem and foster greater international cooperation for countering its impact.
Boniface Aniebonam, the founder the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), said NDLEA has manifested capability and capacity to deal on the menace of drug abuse and its attendant fallout in Nigeria.
According to him, before the establishment of NDLEA, Nigeria was a transit hub in the ring of international drug cartel but the coming of the agency has helped in fishing out drug offenders going by the long list of arrests and seizures recorded.
While pledging NAGAFF’s continued support to the agency, he pointed out the need to continue to engage with Organized Private Sector and other responsible partners with a view to achieving its core mandate.
On consequences, Faboyede, stated that drugs have health concerns that can change how the brain works and interfere with a person’s ability to make choices.
“More than 7 million people suffer from illicit drug use disorder and one in four deaths can be attributed to alcohol, tobacco and illicit prescription drugs. People suffering from drugs and alcohol addiction are victims of unintentional injuries, accidents and domestic violence. They are paranoia, aggressive, hallucinate, impulsive, loss of self-control and their judgements are impaired,” she added.
