The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced plans to seize properties, including houses and vehicles, connected to drug trafficking. This move is part of the agency’s intensified fight against illicit drug activities in Nigeria.
Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, disclosed the plan during the 10th National Youth Summit on Drugs and Substance Abuse held in Abuja. The summit, organized by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) and the African Youths Initiative on Crime Prevention, brought together stakeholders to address the nation’s drug abuse crisis.
Marwa, represented by the agency’s technical adviser, Otunba Lanre Impinmisho, explained the NDLEA’s strategy.
“In the past year, we seized over 3.9 million kilograms of illicit drugs, dismantled drug syndicates, and arrested major traffickers. To send a clear message, we will confiscate properties like houses and vehicles used in drug trafficking operations,” he said.
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Comprehensive Strategy Against Drug Abuse
Marwa outlined the NDLEA’s three-pronged approach to tackling drug abuse: enforcement, treatment, and rehabilitation. He acknowledged addiction as a public health issue requiring comprehensive care and announced the establishment of approximately 30 rehabilitation centers across the country.
“These centers provide counselling, medical care, and reintegration programs to help recovering drug users rejoin society and their families,” Marwa explained.
Nationwide Collaboration Needed
The Director General of the BPSR, Mr. Dasuki Arabi, called for a united effort to tackle the alarming rise in drug abuse, particularly among Nigerian youth. He described the issue as a major threat to the country’s social fabric and economic growth.
“Drug abuse undermines our society and hampers progress. We must work together to combat this menace effectively,” Arabi said.
Collective Action Emphasized
Ambassador Chris Ibe, Founder and Executive Director of the African Youths Initiative on Crime Prevention, also stressed the importance of collective action against drug trafficking and abuse.
“This fight requires every sector of society to join hands. We must protect our youth and secure a better future for Nigeria,” Ibe said.