The Nationwide Drug Regulation Enforcement Company (NDLEA), Apapa Command, says it has seized 14 containers of psychotropic substances over the previous yr, disrupting the distribution cycle of illicit medicine via Nigeria’s seaports.
The Assistant Commander Basic of Narcotics, Buba Wakawa (ACGN), disclosed this on Thursday in the course of the joint grand finale organized by the Apapa and Tin-Can Strategic Seaport Instructions of the NDLEA.
The occasion was held to commemorate the 2025 Worldwide Day In opposition to Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which is noticed yearly on June 26 by the United Nations to lift consciousness on the hazards of drug abuse and illicit trafficking, in addition to their impression on public well being, the economic system, and nationwide safety.
This yr’s occasion was themed: “The Proof is Clear: Spend money on Prevention. Break the Cycle.”
Tramadol and codeine dominate seizures
Wakawa revealed that among the many notable seizures have been 744,635 bottles of codeine-based syrups and 36,652,460 tablets of Tramadol, with a mixed weight of 131,920.7 kilograms.
He emphasised that the cycle of drug abuse and trafficking could be damaged, including that collective motion is essential to creating it occur.
Wakawa said that the company faces a typical enemy in drug sellers and peddlers, who’re all the time prepared to interrupt the legislation for revenue, foster insecurity, and endanger the nation’s well being.
He acknowledged that whereas the maritime sector is an important world channel for wealth creation, income technology, and the transportation of products, it should be safeguarded from exploitation by legal parts.
“We should safe the method from unscrupulous parts, turning it right into a protected haven for illicit drug commerce,” he warned.
Misuse of medicines fuelling dependancy
Wakawa lamented that psychotropic substances equivalent to Tramadol and codeine-based cough syrups, initially developed for medical therapy, have now been misused as leisure medicine.
“These substances are actually abused to get excessive, improve efficiency, and search social pleasure with none medical justification. We won’t tolerate this in our maritime corridors,” he declared.
Wakawa stated that the 2018 UN Medication Survey estimated that 14.3 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 to 64 had used medicine within the previous years.
He stated the theme for the yr was, subsequently, apt because it was additionally in step with its Battle In opposition to Drug Abuse (WADA), a novel concept and brainchild of its visionary chief, the Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa.
Remedy prices rising, households urged to intervene early
In his view, Dr Omotayo Ajirotutu, Medical Psychologist, Federal Psychiatrist, Yaba, stated a median non-public therapy in authorities hospitals prices between N800,000 to N1.5 million per 30 days to deal with sufferers affected with drug abuse.
Ajirotutu lamented that the price of treating sufferers was costly, thereby calling on each guardian to be observant, monitor, and relate with their kids and know what they have been doing and the buddies they maintain.
The psychologist stated that it begins from house as a result of dad and mom have been supposed to show ethical values, whereas lecturers have been supposed to show topics.
He, subsequently, referred to as for collaborative efforts by the legislation enforcement companies, the church buildings, mosques, and NGOs to achieve out to the communities, constituencies, and wards.
Additionally, Mr Callys Alumona, Tin Can Island Technique Port, stated the command has been capable of break the availability chain, including that between June 2024 up to now, the command had mopped up over 30 tonnes of illicit medicine, which embrace Tramadol and cocaine.
Alumona stated that the command had labored with the British Border Drive and worldwide companies to get intelligence as a result of with out this, it couldn’t know what was occurring.
He stated a few of these ships transit from a number of international locations to deliver these illicit substances into the nation’s shores.
Alumona famous that the command would proceed to mop it up earlier than it will get to the shores of Nigeria.
In his goodwill message, Customs Space Controller, Apapa Customs Command, Comptroller, Babatunde Olomu, who was represented by Deputy Comptroller Administration, HA Eromobor, stated the service wouldn’t relent in its efforts in guaranteeing zero tolerance for smuggling of illicit substances.
Eromobor urged Nigerians to assist the federal government within the struggle towards illicit medicine to discourage the financial saboteurs from unlawful operations.
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