Nigeria’s renewed fight against drug trafficking, alcohol and tobacco abuse took centre stage in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, as key stakeholders converged for a high-level engagement convened by the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Drugs and Illicit Trafficking.
The meeting brought together Guard Time Information, Human Rights Activists Nationwide, following an official invitation by the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Dr. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe, alongside the Deputy Chairman and other members of the House committee.
The well-attended event attracted top representatives of critical government agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Customs Service, Immigration Service, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
Also present were delegates from non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, state governments and international development partners, all united by a shared concern over the rising tide of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the country.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Dr. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe stressed that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., is deeply committed to ending drug trafficking in Nigeria, describing the growing abuse of alcohol and tobacco as a national emergency that requires urgent legislative and institutional action.
He noted that the House leadership has placed the issue high on its agenda, given its devastating impact on public health, security, productivity and the future of young Nigerians.
Adding an academic and social perspective, Prof. Jerry Sonny Ugokwe, Ph.D., Chairman of the Special Committee on Campaign Against Social Vices in Secondary and Tertiary Institutions, expressed grave concern over the increasing involvement of pupils and students in drug use.
Prof. Ugokwe warned that drug abuse is gradually eroding the moral and intellectual foundations of Nigeria’s educational system, but expressed optimism that with strong collaboration among committees, agencies and civil society groups, meaningful progress can be achieved.
In his contribution, Mr. Bibi Oduku, Chairman of Guard Time Information, Human Rights Activists Nationwide, highlighted the deadly consequences of drug trafficking and substance abuse, pointing to rising deaths, violent crimes and social instability linked to illicit drugs.
He emphasized the need for closer collaboration between civil society organisations and federal law enforcement agencies to track down drug traffickers, habitual abusers and pharmaceutical companies producing expired or unsafe consumables.
Mr. Oduku revealed that investigative units of his organisation across several states have reported similar patterns of drug trafficking, pledging to consolidate intelligence and share actionable information with relevant agencies to curb the menace.
Representing the international community, Dr. Femi Ajayi, National Project Officer of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Abuja, reaffirmed the agency’s readiness to support Nigeria through development programmes, technical assistance and policy-focused interventions aimed at reducing drug abuse and trafficking.
Dr. Ajayi assured stakeholders that UNODC would continue to partner with government institutions and civil society to strengthen prevention, treatment and enforcement frameworks.
From the state government perspective, Comrade Efe Andrew, Special Assistant to the Governor of Edo State on Drug Abuse, outlined ongoing efforts by the Edo State Government to combat drug trafficking and related crimes.
He, however, noted that stronger support from the Presidency and federal agencies is needed, particularly in terms of legal backing and policy harmonisation, to sustain and expand the state’s initiatives.
In his remarks, Amb. Yusuf Salisu Nas, Head of Volunteers at A New Thing International Foundation and Lead Consultant to the Ad-Hoc Committee on Drugs Trafficking and Abuse, assured participants that the Committee is operating under firm directives from the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.
He reiterated the Committee’s unwavering commitment to working with NGOs, CSOs and development partners to dismantle drug trafficking networks and reduce substance abuse nationwide.
Amb. Nas praised the leadership of Hon. Dr. Oluwatimehin Adelegbe and the dedication of committee members, stressing that their collective efforts are geared towards safeguarding Nigeria’s youth and securing the nation’s future.
The Abuja engagement ended with a strong call for sustained collaboration, intelligence sharing and policy reforms, as stakeholders reaffirmed their resolve to confront drug trafficking, alcohol and tobacco abuse as a shared national responsibility.
