The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised an alarm on a plot to introduce a lethal synthetic Opioid, Fentanyl which is a hundred times stronger than Tramadol and heroin, to the Nigerian market.
According to the statement published on the agency’s social media pages on Tuesday by NDLEA Media and Advocacy Director, Mr Femi Babafemi, who cautioned that the illicitly manufactured drug could generate mass casualty among the youth population being targeted.
The agency assured that they are taking every step to ensure that the drug, which is currently responsible for over 70% of overdose deaths as well as a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the US, is not allowed to circulate in Nigeria because of its lethality and the current drug abuse prevalence of 14.4% in the country. A statement said:
“We are not unaware of desperate efforts by some drug cartels to introduce to the Nigerian market, Fentanyl, which according to the CDC, is 80 times as potent as morphine and 100 times more potent than heroin. This, they plan to do either in liquid or powder form and/or with misleading labels to target our youth population. This they may also mix with other prescription drugs. The illegally manufactured fentanyl in its liquid form can come in nasal sprays, eye drops, or small candies.
“As a result, parents and other stakeholders are advised to be vigilant, alert and warn their young ones against attempting experimenting with this illicit substance. Symptoms for fentanyl exposure and/or overdose include pinpoint pupils, falling asleep or losing consciousness, slow and shallow breathing, choking or gurgling sounds, limp body, and pale, blue, or cold skin.”
The Agency wishes to assure the public that all necessary assets have been deployed to monitor the cartels involved in this latest threat to public health with a view to frustrating their criminal plot and make them face the wrath of the law.
Steps Taken
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), announced that a seamless exchange of intelligence and strengthened collaboration among African countries will help the continent surmount the daunting challenge of illicit drug trafficking and abuse
NDLEA has begin its search for collaboration among African countries on drug war.
This was Nigeria’s position presented by the agency’s Chairman, Gen. Marwa at the ongoing 30th Conference of Heads of Drug Law Enforcement Agencies Africa (HONLEA) in Nairobi, Kenya.
This stand was widely supported by other countries represented at the gathering.
While briefing the meeting on the gains so far recorded by Nigeria in the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking, Marwa said there is a need for all to put in place a national coordination mechanism that will ensure coordinated action against the menace.
He said:
“The starting point is the harnessing of all the stakeholders by the national drug focal agency. Through this national coordination and collaborative effort, Nigeria has steadily made significant efforts in tackling drug challenges and has between January 2021 and August 2022, recorded unprecedented arrests, in the region of 21,302 suspected drug traffickers, including 28 drug barons.
“In the area of prosecution, the agency has secured 3,111 convictions, and seized 5.4 million kilograms of illicit substances. On Drug Demand Reduction, the Agency within the same period had brief interventions, counselling/rehabilitation for over 12,326 drug users.”
Over the night, NDLEA operatives arrested a man for concealing illicit drugs in his car tyre in a bid to evade detection while travelling along Abuja – Kaduna road.
Gen. Marwa expressed optimism that the canvassed synergy will facilitate the speedy dismantling of drug trafficking cartels across Africa through a more vibrant HONLEA platform. The NDLEA boss was earlier elected unanimously the Vice Chairman of the conference chaired by the host country, Kenya.