The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Lagos State Command, in partnership with a Non-Governmental Organisation, Eagle Crime Awareness and Prevention Initiative, has renewed its commitment to engaging all stakeholders in the fight against drug abuse.
The agency also urged non-governmental organisations, communities, parents, and teachers to support the implementation of the 2025 National Drug Control Strategy Plan.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer, ECAPI, Collins Nniga, on Friday, stated that Commander Abubakar Liman of the NDLEA Lagos Command disclosed this on Thursday during a field intelligence and advocacy training for anti-drug agents, organised by the NDLEA in collaboration with ECAPI at the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Secretariat, in Lagos.
According to the statement, Liman said the command would continue to align with the vision of the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), by partnering with NGOs as advocates to dismantle drug networks in communities.
“This workshop will further strengthen our bid to fight the drug menace. Our CEO has always emphasised advocacy and capacity building as key to ridding the country of drug problems”, the statement quoted Liman to have said at the event, while commending ECAPI for the initiative.
It added that the lead trainer, retired Assistant Commander-General, Mrs. Jane Ibiba-Odili, stressed the need for a holistic National Drug Control Master Plan, adding that NGOs and community leaders play crucial roles in its success.
“In fact, children as young as seven are now using drugs. Young people are abusing bleach, fermented sanitary pads, and alcohol.
“It is worse in rural areas where poverty and unemployment are rife,” the statement quoted Ibiba-Odili to have stated.
Ibiba-Odili lamented that drug abuse remains a “hydra-headed and multifaceted challenge,” urging parents to instil discipline, values, and resilience in children from an early age.
Also speaking, the statement added that the NDLEA Commander of Narcotics, Chinerem Eziaghighala, revealed that 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 abuse drugs, with most users between 25 and 39 years.
She noted that “one in four drug abusers is a woman.”
She stressed, “Treatment for addicts is expensive and long-term, so prevention through intelligence sharing, behavioural change campaigns, and skill development is key.”
The statement also noted that in his remarks, the Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Kayode Oloyede, represented by Ajoke Onitolo, described the rate of drug abuse among young people as alarming, linking it to kidney problems, mental illness, and high blood pressure.
ECAPI President, Mr. Eniola Adam, pledged continued partnership with the NDLEA, saying, “With over 1,500 members in Lagos and 5,000 nationwide, we will go beyond intelligence gathering to fight drug abuse.”