NDLEA intensifying efforts against seaports importation of hard drugs, seeks more assistance of Naval Marine

By allcitynews.ng

Concerned on influx of hard drugs despite the fight to tame the spread, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has appealed to Naval Marine to intensify efforts in tackling importation of hard drugs.

The call became imperative as Nigeria, is only transit country for hard drugs.

As it is no longer news that the country is struggling with crime and general insecurity which can mostly be linked to drug abuse, hence, the NDLEA leadership during the just concluded 2025 World International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking came out with the charge, noting that most hard drugs are always packed inside containers.

Speaking at the event, which took place on Thursday 26 June 2025, in Apapa, in commemoration of 2025 celebration, the Assistant Commander-General of Narcotics (ACGN), Zonal Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Zone H., Dr. Segun Oke, appealed to everyone, especially Naval Marine to assist in checkmating importation of illicit drugs through the seaports.

According to Oke, the partnership of Naval Marine is very important since Nigeria is only a transit country which can be rescued from drug abuse when the seaports are properly manned by the officers.

Giving the charge at the grand finale, Oke stressed, “Naval Marine needs to work along with NDLEA to prevent both human damages and economical loss because any container caught with any little drug is seized with all the goods which will lead to loss for such importer apart from prosecution the importer that will follow”.

Furthermore, the retired narcotic boss, charged Nigerians, members of the University Community and the students to join in anti-drug abuse war for a drug free society.

Speaking on “Evidence Is Clear: Invest in Prevention, Break the Cycle, Oke recommended the following as possible ways to address the menace; establishment of counselling centres for drug control; Government designing curricula on drug education; Campaign against drug abuse by the government at all level and other relevant authorities, and Ban of drugs selling point and also taking the war against drug prevention to schools.

On his part, Apapa Strategic Commander of the NDLEA, Buba Wakawa noted as the country recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India to curb the manufacture of codeine-based syrups destined for Nigeria, the spreading of hard drugs needs the partnership of everyone as war against hard drugs should be the concern of everyone as the negative effects of hard drugs can make every one the victim.

Buba Wakawa, stressed the urgency of coordinated efforts as anyone can be a victim to effects on hard drugs as both the users and innocent people are affected by the negative effects by users.

Citing the 2018 United Nations Drug Survey, which estimated that 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 had used drugs in the preceding years, Wakawa underlined the importance of information and intelligence sharing to prevent the inflow of illicit substances into the country.

According to him, this year’s campaign, themed “Evidence Is Clear: Invest in Prevention, Break the Cycle,” aims to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse while encouraging locally tailored initiatives by member countries to sensitise their communities and work towards a drug-free society.

“The goal of this engagement is to bring together a wide cross-section of society including schools and students, regulatory bodies, sister security agencies, terminal operators, and other stakeholders.”

As parts of efforts to tackle rising substance abuse among youths and other vulnerable groups,
NDLEA, has not only taken the campaign to secondary schools and institutions of higher learning across the country but has set up school competitions among youth in secondary schools.

Other stakeholders, the police, Tincan commander, Director, Apapa Seaport, all agreeing that this year’s theme,”evidence is clear, invest in prevention”, demands for collaborative efforts amidst the crime and insecurity.

Do you wish to ADVERTISE Your Brand Or Need Event Coverage?
Or Have Breaking story with pictorial evidence? Or wants to assist us by DONATIONS?
kindly contact us via  09159744240/allcitynews86@gmail.com.

Goal of allcitynews.ng/allcitynews.blog:-
To interface between policy makers & general public, be most influential, informative and reliable issues-based online newspaper.

Disclaimer:
Comments expressed here do not in anyway reflect the opinions of allcitynews.ng or any employee thereof.