Illicit drugs pose a serious threat to peace and security in West Africa- Obasanjo

Emeka Ibemere

Following the inherent danger of illicit drugs to health and its societal problems in sub-Saharan region, the former President of Nigeria and current Chair of West African Commission on Drugs (WACD), Olusegun Obasanjo urged stakeholders in the war against illicit drug trafficking to raise the bar in the fight against the dreaded drugs within West African region.

The former president highlighted the importance of stepping up actions to end drug-related user problems in the region.

According to him, illicit drugs are a threat to peace and security. He revealed that West Africa is now a transit route for drug barons and traffickers and said the threat posed by the twin abuse and trafficking called for more funding towards health, treatment and rehabilitation services.

 "Drugs pose a serious threat to peace and security in West Africa. Organized crime syndicates use the region as a hub to transit drugs to other parts of the world. This development calls for funding to be more proportionately directed towards health, treatment and rehabilitation services, which are lacking".

Speaking on the topic, on impact of drug consumption on governance, security and development at the just concluded 57th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) held in Vienna, Obasanjo called for serious concern on health and security of the region

Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Yury Fedotov, and Chairman/Chief Executive, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade also called for increased attention to health, drug abuse prevention and treatment in West Africa.

Mr. Fedotov said, "I would like to stress particularly the need of strengthening public health in a comprehensive, balanced, scientific evidence-based approach. There is urgent need to address demand and facilitate quality treatment and rehabilitation services". On his own, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade also canvassed increased attention on health challenges of drug use. “We have observed the huge health challenge resulting from both local drug production and influx of drugs into West Africa. It is imperative for stakeholders to devote quality attention to the attendant health problems of illicit drug use. According to him, this could be addressed through improved funding, training of health care personnel and establishment of Treatment and Rehabilitation Centres,” Giade stated.

NDLEA Chairman added that strengthening existing structures like WACD and West Africa Joint Operations (WAJO) would enhance the unity and capacity of member nations in confronting drug trafficking syndicates and ultimately prevent West Africa from being used as a drug hub.

Mr. Fedotov observed that trafficking of cocaine remains a serious challenge and there has been an increase in the amount of heroin trafficked into the region, especially since 2010. Methamphetamine production in West Africa is rising while trafficking of ephedrine is a matter of serious concern.

“Meanwhile, local drug use appears to have intensified. This has become an issue for public health and safety, with an attendant rise in the number of new HIV infections attributed to injecting drug use", Fedotov stated.

WACD Commissioner Dr. Mohammad-Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou also emphasized the health repercussions of drugs in West Africa.

“The region has historically been considered a transit destination, indications show that consumption is climbing, particularly among youth, as is the local production of drugs such as cannabis”, Dr. Mohammad-Mahmoud added.

 “With high levels of poverty and unemployment, more jobs are also needed as young people in particular might regard drug trafficking as an attractive income generating opportunity”. Resolutions passed by Member States cover such touchstone drug policy issues as alternative development, substance use disorders, new psychoactive substances, ensuring adequate services for drug abusers and evidence-based drug use prevention. In the other hand, an attempt by a 34 year-old textile dealer in Aba, Abia State to evade arrest at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos has been foiled by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The suspect, Ulelu Ugwumba Michael was apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos for inserting two wraps of brownish powdery substance found to be heroin into his anus on his way from Pakistan. Anti-narcotics officials detected the heroin weighing 120 grammes during inward screening of passengers on Qatar airline flight. The street value of the drugs is put at N25million.

NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar who confirmed the arrest said that the drug seizure was facilitated by scanning machine. According to the Commander, “the suspect, Ulelu Ugwumba Michael tested positive for drug possession on his way from Pakistan. When placed under close observation, he excreted two wraps of substances that tested positive for heroin with a weight of 120 grammes. The case is under investigation”, Umar said.

But the suspect said he assumed the drug would not be detected since it was just two wraps. “I am a textile dealer in Aba, Abia State. I travelled to Pakistan to buy goods. My business has suffered some downturn in the past two years. The decision to smuggle the drug was to enable me increase my capital. Since it was just two wraps weighing 120 grammes, I was so confident that it will be easy for me to pass through security checks undetected. I am sad over my arrest and pray to God for my freedom. This is my first time and I promise not to smuggle drugs again,” Ulelu appealed.

NDLEA operatives said Ulelu hails from Abia State and that he is single. According to the operatives, the suspect was a primary school dropout at Abala Primary School in Obingwa but could not complete his primary education because he lost his parents.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade foreclosed any act of leniency for the suspect.

“The suspect will be charged to court to serve as deterrent to others. Those who seek criminal ways of making money must be prepared to face the legal consequences,” Giade stated. The NDLEA boss also warned that even if it was half a wrap of narcotics he ingested, it will not go undetected.