- NDLEA chair says more than 14 million Nigerians are grappling with drug-related issues across the country, citing UN statistics.
- The south-west zone tops national drug prevalence rate with 24.4 percent, followed by the south-south and south-east regions.
The chairman and chief executive officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Buba Marwa, has said President Bola Tinubu has enhanced the agency’s efficiency.
Marwa stated this on Tuesday during a two-day interactive session on government-citizens’ engagement held in Kaduna.
He said drug abuse remains one of Nigeria’s top three national concerns requiring urgent and comprehensive intervention.
“Over 14 million Nigerians are battling with drug abuse issues,” he said.
“From south-west region, we have 24.4 per cent drug abuse prevalence, south-south has 18 per cent, south-east 13.8, north-east 13.4, north-west 12 per cent and north-central 10 per cent.”
“These are UN figures, and it calls for serious concern. 12 per cent is high, because in north-west, we have three million people followed by Kano with one million.”
He said the rise in drug abuse has worsened crime and insecurity across communities.
“Drug prevalence does not only harm our youths, societies and families, but also encourages criminal activities like kidnapping, banditry and terrorism,” he said.
The NDLEA boss attributed recent gains made by the agency to the support of the Tinubu administration.
“Tinubu administration has done a lot in addressing drug abuse and trafficking in the country; since assumption into office in May 2023, President Tinubu has shown great interest in the work of NDLEA,” he said.
“His unwavering support has enhanced our intelligence and boosted our capacity.”
Marwa said the agency had received operational vehicles, advanced surveillance tools and sophisticated weapons to combat drug cartels.
“We now have intelligent modern tools, operations vehicles and sophisticated weapons to protect our men and women against drug cartels,” he added.
He said the NDLEA now operates with an expanded workforce across major transportation and border points.
“We are now over 15,000,” he said.
“We are everywhere now; the airports, seaports, highways and the sea. We even have a marine command now.”
He commended President Tinubu for strengthening the agency to carry out its mandate without compromise.
“The good works the agency is doing is as a result of the support given to it by Tinubu,” he said.