...... CALL FOR DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT DRUGS
The European Union, United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
have reiterated the need for a global development without drugs. This was the
central message as the world marks the International Day Against Drug Abuse and
Illicit Drug Trafficking. The event was also used to launch three important documents;
the National Drug Control Master Plan 2015-2019, the World Drug Report 2015 and
the International Narcotic Control Board (INCB) report 2014. The 2015 theme for
the commemoration is Let’s Develop, Our Lives, Our Communities, Our Identities
Without Drugs.
The representative of the European Union, Mr. Alan
Munday commended the NDLEA for the success recorded in cannabis farm destruction
in 2014 and the discovery of ten clandestine laboratories for the production of
methamphetamine. “I congratulate the Nigerian government for the formulation of
this policy document the Drug Control Master Plan. I like to commend the NDLEA for
the success of cannabis farms destroyed in 2014 as well as the discovery of ten
clandestine laboratories that produce methamphetamine” Alan stated.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade told
stakeholders that NDLEA’s counternarcotic measures have contributed positively
to the socio-economic and political development of our country.
“NDLEA played a
very crucial role towards the peaceful conduct of the last general elections.
This is because the monetary value of seized drugs and cannabis plant destroyed
in 2014 hit a record high of 542 billion naira. This huge amount is mind
blowing and has the capacity to derail the most credible election. Such
proceeds can be used to either subvert the wishes of the electorates or
instigate upheavals” Giade stated.
The commemoration of the world drug day dates
back to the United Nations General Assembly resolution 42/112 of December 7,
1987. Giade noted that there can be no sustainable development in an atmosphere
of drug trafficking and abuse adding that there is no better time to conduct a
peer review and set agenda for future counter-narcotic interventions than now.
The Director General of the NDLEA, Mrs Roli Bode
George made a presentation on the Master Plan. “the master plan aims to strengthen
response to drugs in order to contribute to the enhanced health, security and well-being
of all Nigerians. The major gaps in the previous master plan identified by stakeholders
at consultative town hall meetings have been addressed” Roli stated.
Professor Obot Isidore of the University of Uyo
and a consultant to the UNODC reviewed the World Drug Report 2015 and the International
Narcotic Control Board (INCB) report 2014.
According to Giade, “drugs do not make heroes
but drug addicts. Drug trafficking do not make people successful rather it
makes them prisoners. Drug use does not make stars but great stars who use
drugs have lost their identities and precious lives. Drug trafficking is a
threat to public health, peace and safety. It undermines socio-economic and political
stability of a country”.
Giade attributed drug trafficking to moral
decadence in the society. “The excessive crave for materialism among other
factors has forced many into drug trafficking. This situation is gradually
eroding the foundation of integrity and good conduct. The age long cords of
love, discipline, diligence and cultural values that held families together are
falling apart. We must act fast in protecting our lives, communities and
identities from the devastating effects of drugs”.
Drug addiction is an equal opportunity
destroyer with adverse consequences cutting across age, gender and cultures.
According to 2012 estimates by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
(UNODC), about 183,000 drug related deaths were recorded globally. The report
also added that between 162 million and 324 million people, corresponding to
between 3.5 per cent and 7.0 per cent of the world population aged 15-64, had
used an illicit drug mainly a substance belonging to the cannabis, opioid,
cocaine or amphetamine-type stimulants group at least once in the previous
year.
The Agency also recorded unprecedented success
in cannabis farm destruction operation in 2014. “A total of 4,529.15 hectares
of farmland representing 53,719,342.32 kilogrammes of cannabis were destroyed
and prevented from causing untold harm to Nigerians. A total of 8,826
comprising 8,332 males and 494 females were arrested or questioned during
investigation while illicit drugs seized weighed 166,697.18kg” the NDLEA stated.
The breakdown of the drugs is as follows;
cannabis sativa 158,852.2kg, cocaine 226.041kg and heroin 56.449kg. Others are
methamphetamine 119.2kg, amphetamine 0.05grammes, ephedrine 35.8kg and
psychotropic substances 7,407.44kg. Besides arrests and drug seizures, 3,403 drug
dependent persons received drug counselling services in NDLEA centres
nationwide. NDLEA also had a good prosecution scorecard as 2,070 cases were
charged to court and 2,054 were convicted in 2014.
However, between January and May 2015, the
Agency arrested 3,478 drug suspects and seized 170,341.704kg of narcotic drugs.
The drugs are cannabis 167,461.826kg, cocaine 103.848kg, heroin 17.976kg and
psychotropic substances 2,619.195kg. The Agency also discovered cannabis farms
measuring 126.721 hectares. A total of 783 cases have so far been won in court.
In June 2011, the first clandestine laboratory
in the country was discovered in Lagos. In 2012, four similar laboratories were
detected, three in Lagos and one in Anambra State. In 2013 and 2014, the Agency
discovered two additional laboratories in Lagos. In the past few weeks, three
laboratories were discovered in Anambra State making it a total of ten.
Giade commended the
European Union and UNODC for their support particularly over project NGAV 16 - Response to Drugs and Related Organised Crime.
One of the benefits of this project is the current National Drug Control
Master Plan (NDCMP) 2015 to 2019 which was successfully reviewed. This
comprehensive policy document is a compendium of new ideas and drug control
approaches with specific roles for stakeholders.
The master plan was officially
launched together with the current World Drug Report and International
Narcotics Control Board’s (INCB) report.
Efforts are ongoing
to strengthen our investigative capacity for in-depth and analytical
investigation. The Agency recently apprehended a suspected drug kingpin after
thirteen months of high level surveillance. The suspect, Mr. Chukwunwendu
Sylvester Ikejiakwu aka Blessed was found to be the brain behind three
clandestine laboratories and leader of an International Drug Trafficking
Organisation (DTO) that recruits and sponsors drug couriers to China, Malaysia,
Turkey and Italy.
The Agency shall
continue to subscribe to an effective reward system for discipline, bravery and
outstanding performance. This is expected to further motivate staff to give
their best performance at all times. Tribute was also paid to all that lost their
lives on the job. “On this occasion, I salute the courage and gallantry of
officers who lost their lives in the line of service. The Agency shall continue
to honour them for their supreme sacrifice. Their memories remain ever fresh in
our minds. The best way to immortalize them is continue to fight and win the
battle against illicit drugs. May their loving souls continue to rest in the
Lord” Giade stated.
The event was attended
by many stakeholders including former head of service Mr. Steve Oransaye, two former
Chief Executives of the NDLEA, Commissioner of Police Fulani Kwajafa retired and former
Inspector General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo. Also present was the immediate past
Director General of the NDLEA, and Executive Secretary of Petroleum Technology Development
Fund (PTDF), members of the diplomatic community among others.
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