In a press conference held on Monday in Abuja, the Chairman of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) made a startling revelation noting that over the course of the last two years, the agency has apprehended a staggering number of 31,675 individuals involved in drug-related offenses. Also, a total of 6,252 tonnes of illicit drugs have been confiscated across the nation since February 2021.
Among the apprehended, 5,147 individuals have been sentenced to prison, including 35 prominent drug kingpins, as disclosed by the chairman.
‘In the past 29 months, 31,675 drug offenders have been brought to book, among them 35 barons, and so far, 5,147 have earned jail terms, with over 6,252 tonnes of illicit drugs seized,” Marwa said in his opening address at the national conference to mark this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, at the State House, Abuja.’
As part of the ongoing campaign to eliminate illicit drugs and combat the detrimental effects of substance abuse on the youth, the head of NDLEA highlighted that certain convicted offenders have relinquished their illicitly acquired assets to the government. Marwa emphasised the significance of these actions in the collective endeavor to create a drug-free nation.
‘This is even as we continue to prioritise prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, ensuring that those affected by drugs are given the necessary support and care they need to rebuild their lives,’ he said.
In addition, it was disclosed that the NDLEA has inaugurated a Drug Abuse Call Centre featuring a round-the-clock toll-free helpline, 0800 1020 3040, dedicated to assisting individuals and their families grappling with drug-related issues.
‘The centre is manned by a team of professionals, including psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, social workers, mental health specialists, and psychiatry doctors, who provide support to people who use drugs and their family members, without the fear of being judged or stigmatised, to facilitate recovery and manage social and emotional problems, thereby improving their quality of life,’ Marwa went on to disclose.
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Apart from the call centre, the NDLEA chief revealed that there are 34 counseling and rehabilitation centers distributed throughout the agency’s commands. These facilities provide crucial psychosocial interventions and support for drug users, aiming at their successful reintegration into society.
Regarding future initiatives, he disclosed that the agency is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to execute Harm Reduction interventions. This includes the implementation of the Needle and Syringe program as well as medication-assisted treatment for individuals struggling with opioid addiction.
The theme for the commemoration in 2023 is ‘People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.’
Notable attendees included President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Oliver Stolpe, the Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker representing the Speaker of the House of Representatives; Beatrice Jedy-Agba, the Solicitor General of the Federation; Dennis Okoro, the Representative of the Chairman of the MTN Foundation; and Ogbonna Onovo, the Former Inspector-General of Police.