FG reaffirms commitment to dismantling drug cartels, says

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to preventing illicit drug use, dismantling trafficking networks, and expanding access to treatment and rehabilitation for Nigerians.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, gave the assurance at the opening of the National Drug Use Summit themed “Addressing Illicit Drug Use and Trafficking: A Call to National Action,” held in Abuja on Wednesday.

Akume, represented by Permanent Secretary (General Services, OSGF) Dr Adamu Ibrahim Kana, said no nation could achieve sustainable development while its youth remained under threat from substance abuse.

He said the Tinubu administration, under its Renewed Hope Agenda, was building resilient communities and strengthening institutions to confront the challenge.

The summit was organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (rtd), said the summit was convened to build consensus around a coordinated National Action Plan covering prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, data collection and policy implementation, stressing that no single institution could tackle the drug problem alone.

He cited the agency’s record over the past 18 months:29,262 arrests

5,305,484.88 kilograms of illicit drugs seized, valued at over N1.5 trillion, 5,225 convictions

6,645 sensitisation programmes reaching nearly five million Nigerians, 13,508 drug users counselled, treated or rehabilitated across 31 centres nationwide.

Marwa also highlighted the agency’s Alternative Development Initiative, which supports cannabis growers in transitioning to legitimate cash crops and other sustainable livelihoods.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the summit’s success would be measured not by its communique but by outcomes, young people who choose not to start drugs, patients relieved of pain, and families restored.

He pledged the ministry’s readiness to lead and coordinate the national response.

UNODC Country Representative Cheikh Toure, represented by Dr Akanidomo Ibanga, commended the cross-sectoral collaboration and described the summit as a moment to translate Nigeria’s commitment to the National Drug Control Master Plan into measurable action.

The summit is being attended by government ministries, agencies, development partners, security agencies, and civil society organisations.