Nigerian Drug War: Battle So Far

The examination of drug war activities in Nigeria is necessitated by its regional role as leader in the West African sub-region. The various activities in Nigeria accounts for more than 65 percent of all activities in West Africa. This assumption is applicable to West African drug smuggling, consumption and production activities. Nigeria at a certain period had its low moments in drug smuggling business, so that United States withdrew its certification for several years in the 90s. It took concerted efforts of the government and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to get the country back to certification.

One thing of note is that those periods were the period of military dictatorship government in the country. This form of government is common to drug business friendly.

But those efforts are still very meager a tip of the iceberg of what drug smuggling, consumption and production business is all about. It is believed that drug seizures are less than 20 percent of the trade into and out of the country.

Drug trafficking investigations started in Nigeria far back in 1935. Investigations were handled by the National police force, until late 80s decree No 48 of 1989 was promulgated establishing NDLEA to give more teeth and specialization to the fight against drug smuggling in the country.

Since then, it had weathered the storm, overcoming several difficulties like poor funding, corruption, lack of records, society indifference to the fight, sophistication of drug trafficking methods, bonds between traffickers and Barons, which makes it difficult to get at godfathers.

The most trafficked drugs in Nigeria are the narcotic/stimulants-Heroine and cocaine also cannabis. Nigeria is both transit and consuming nation on records a producing nation in cannabis-marijuana.

Drug trafficking at present in Nigeria does not attract capital punishment and high sentences. But there had been calls within the drugs enforcement operatives for a review of sentences upwards.

Anti-narcotic war became fierce in Nigeria, when some nationals became Barons in other drug vulnerable and producing nations, like China, Cote D’ Ivorie, and South Africa.

The Nigerian National Drug Enforcement Agency’s collaborative efforts with international security organizations, like The FBI- US-Federal Bureau of Investigations, WJO-West African Joint Operation, and MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Britain had contributed to the fight on drug smuggling.

It trains its staff members and those of other nations within ECOWAS sub-region at Regional Academy for Drug Control in Jos, Nigeria.

According to NDLEA’s press release, between January-May 2009,”37,668,194 kilograms of various narcotic and psychotropic substances were seized and 2,586 males and 203 females were arrested within this period.

Some corrupt operatives had been clog in the wheel of progress within the NDLEA, who aid in various ways the traffickers and Barons. These include bribery, invading of prison sentences, total and partial loss of exhibits, and amongst others.

Recently, NDLEA Executive Board dismissed 100 NDLEA operatives culpable for various forms of corrupt practices.

Drug war in Nigeria may not be complete if other Nations within the sub-region do not play a complimentary role, as it share its board with other vulnerable states.