…As NDLEA arrests 37, secures 20 convictions
By Steve Agbota [email protected]
Concerns are mounting among stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry over the growing importation of dangerous drugs into the country.
This comes as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) apprehended 37 drug suspects, including 34 men and three women, for drug-related offenses at the Tin Can Island Port (TCIP) since the beginning of 2024.
The escalating flow of dangerous drugs being trafficked into the nation’s ports and land borders has raised serious concerns among responsible citizens across the country.
At different fora, the illegal use or abuse of these drugs are said to be fueling major crimes being perpetrated mostly by youths in the country.
Daily Sun has learned that the illicit drugs falling into the wrong hands are a major factor behind Nigeria’s escalating security challenges, particularly in the northern and eastern regions. These dangerous substances are being smuggled into the country from various parts of Asia, Europe, and America, with sources including India, Pakistan, Canada, the United States, and even South Africa.
This reality is evident at various Customs Commands, where dangerous drugs are often displayed during press briefings and other activities. In a recent operation, one command seized containers of illicit drugs valued at over N16 billion. Daily Sun also learned that a kilogram of cocaine and heroin is currently worth about N25 million each, while Canadian loud fetches approximately N6 million per kilogram. The importers of these drugs are driven by the pursuit of profit, seeking to cut corners and exploit the lucrative trade in illicit substances.
Just last week, the Tin Can Customs command handed over 16 containers of illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceuticals worth over N4 billion to NDLEA.
Customs Area Controller, Tin Can Island Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, who expressed concerns at which the dangerous drugs are coming into the country, said that there are collaborating efforts with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the UK’s Drug Enforcement Agency, and Canadian authorities to tackle drug smuggling at Nigeria’s seaports.
“I’ve held several engagements with my officers in collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency alongside the NDLEA. We have also hosted His Majesty’s Drug Enforcement Agency from London and engaged Canadian authorities. Notably, the U.S. DEA, in partnership with the NDLEA and Customs, has offered training facilities for our team. Though approved, the training has yet to commence. Canada has offered a similar facility, which is currently in processing—demonstrating our strong partnerships,” he added.
Recalling one of the major busts, Nnadi stated, “just two days after one of our embassy discussions, we seized three containers, including two containing cocaine from South Africa. This highlights the effectiveness of our collaboration.”
Meanwhile, Commander of Narcotics, Tin Can Island Command of NDLEA, Mitchelle Ofoyeju the agency also secured 20 convictions with a seizure of over 330,835.79 kilograms of various assorted drugs within the review period.
While emphasising the agency’s commitment to tackling the growing problem of drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria, Oyefoju appealed to members of the public to pass on any information regarding drug- related activities to the agency.
He added that the agency also provides free 24/7 psychosocial supports for substance abuse victims, stating that individuals no longer have to suffer in silence due to drug-related issues.
“You may have an information, pass it over discreetly to the NDLEA. One of the consequences of drug trafficking is drug use disorder. In order to balance the mandate of the NDLEA, under the present leadership, we launched the war against drug abuse campaign on June 26, 2021, by former president Muhamed Buhari.
“And that platform has given us leverage in reaching out to various categories of Nigerians. Gone are the days where people now suffer in silence as a result of maybe their children or their wives or their spouses are into drugs. Today, from the comfort of your house, you can call NDLEA toll free line and medical doctors, psychiatrists, and social health workers will attend to you,” he added.
Speaking to Daily Sun, the former acting President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dr. Kayode Farinto, said that the government needs to be involved in tackling the importation of dangerous drugs.
“I remember when I was a president of ANLCA, I introduced a lot of things for our members, I said the government should take the issue and let it become a bilateral discussion between Nigerian Government and Canadian government where a committee can be set up to fine-tune this issue.
“In Canada to some extent, a lesser volume is allowed in their country. Some people maybe buying it in pinches, store it and now ship it but if we have an understanding and Memorandum of Understand (MoU) between the two countries in terms of bilateral agreement that these psychotropic substances should not be allowed in Nigeria, you will now see the Canadian government taking it serious.
“I even went ahead and said that we should introduce a $100 per container for pre-charges on reexamination on this container offshore before they even ship it at all. That is on one hand’.
He said there is need for government to set up a discussion by having a bilateral agreement and MoU with the Canadian government, saying set it up at the diplomatic level by even making sure maybe surcharge at the diplomatic level on consignments that are coming from Canada so that there will be extra-reexamination offshore before they are even imported into Nigeria.
He emphasized the need for the government to initiate discussions through a bilateral agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Canadian government. He suggested that such talks be conducted at the diplomatic level, including the possibility of imposing a surcharge on consignments coming from Canada, ensuring that they undergo thorough offshore reexamination before reaching Nigerian shores.
At the national level, he called for increased public awareness on the devastating impact of these psychotropic substances in Nigeria, as the country continues to be flooded with these drugs. He expressed frustration at the scale of the problem, urging the government to take decisive action. With the rising influx of these drugs, he stressed that the government must show genuine commitment to fighting this issue, asserting that the current efforts are insufficient.