The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa says drug trafficking in the Sahel continues to hinder security, economic development and the rule of law while jeopardising public health.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during its 1st Annual International Lecture on Thursday in Abuja, Marwa said that increased drug flows to West Africa and the Sahel undermined peace and stability in the region.
The Lecture, with the theme, “Insecurity in the Sahel (2008-2024): Dissecting Nigeria’s Challenges – Genesis, Impacts and Options” was conceived by the management of NAN as part of efforts to tackle the menace of insecurity in the Sahel and Nigeria.
Marwa was represented by Mr Chidi Ndukwu, the Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Assistant Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA.
He maintained that there was a vicious link between drugs and security adding that most of the insurgents terrorists acted under the influence of drugs and illicit substances.
He said “this is not only a security issue as armed groups are deriving revenue to finance their operations.
” it is also a public health issue as criminal groups tap into population growth to expand illicit drug markets.
“We are targeting our efforts at dismantling drug syndicates around the region.
“In some Sahelian countries – Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger – cannabis resin remains the internationally trafficked drug most commonly seized, followed by cocaine and pharmaceutical opioids,”he said.
Marwa, however, said that the NDLEA had recorded huge successes in tackling drugs abuse and illicit trafficking adding the agency would continue to dismantle drug cartels and their networks across the country.
“According to UN reports, Cocaine, cannabis and opioids are getting easier to buy as criminal networks and armed groups capitalise on the fragile Sahel region’s.
“This in which is a “natural stopover point” to Europe on trafficking routes from South America.
“However, collaboration with relevant global institutions and help from the UN, NDLEA is taking down criminal networks and making a record number of seizures of illicit drugs.
“The following are the result of our efforts at addressing the drug problem in Nigeria which includes states around the sahel region.
“Between January 2021 and July 2024, the agency has arrested 55,759 including 48 barons, covicted 9, 673 offenders, we also seized 7,625,365kgs (7,625 tons) of assorted drugs and substances.
“Also seized were cash & drugs worth over N958bn, we have destroyed cannabis(Indian hemp) farms of over 1, 057.33348 hectares of lands, we have counselled & rehabilitated over 33, 453 drug users.
“We have carried out War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) lectures in schools & others, while over 6, 423 assets forfeited to the Federal Government — more than 948 houses, vehicles & others.
