The Strategic Commander of the Apapa Strategic Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) , Buba Obadiah Wakawa has said between June 2024 and June 2025, the Command seized 14 Containers with different types of psychotropic drugs which include 744, 635 bottles of Codeine based syrups and 36,652,460 tablets of Tramadol with a gross weight of 131, 920.7kg and approximately 132 tonnes.
He disclosed this during the Joint Grand Finale By Apapa and Tincan Strategic Seaport Command’s Commemoration of 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Held at Rockview Hotel, Apapa On Thursday, 26th June, 2025.
According to ACGN Wakawa, the theme for this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is, ” The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention” .He said the maritime sector is a major global source of wealth and revenue generation for every nation, as well as veritable means of bulky transportation of goods and services, but the process must be secured from unscrupulous elements taking control and turning it into safe haven for Illicit drug business.
He emphasised that painfully, psychotropic substances of abuse such as Tramadol and cough syrups with codeine that were medically produced to treat and remedy health issues have been turned into recreational drugs to get high, enhance performance and social pleasure without medical reason and that will not be tolerated in the maritime corridors.
“This is a day set aside by the United Nations to create awareness on the dangers of drug abuse and illicit trafficking and its rippling effects on the health, economy and security of the society. It also gives us the opportunity to appraise our performance in the area of drug enforcement and sensitization, in order to move forward. The illicit drug import and export distribution network must be broken.”, he said.
Dr. Omotayo Ajirotutu, a Consultant at the Federal Neuro-Psychaitric Hospital, Yaba who delivered a lecture titled
“Substance Abuse as it Affects Mental Health” said substance abuse is pleasure giving but it creates an effect of habit forming which works primarily on the brain where they alter it’s functioning .
He stated that drug users include undergraduates, children, the elderly and religious people. He said this set of people consume drugs to feel good, stop feeling bad, to perform better in school or at work, or when they are curious because others are doing it and they want to fit in.
Dr. Ajirotutu said the challenges of substance abuse are declining grades in academics, dropping out or injuries due to accident.
He further said there are several treatment challenges linked to substance abuse like chronic relapsing disease, 30% recovery rate, few addiction professionals and few and expensive treatment facilities.He affirmed that prevention is the key to substance abuse.
While speaking about preventing substance abuse, Dr. Segun Oke, who last served as Zonal Commander, NDLEA in Lagos urged stakeholders to make intentional efforts to curb substance abuse.
“Nigeria Customs Service should thoroughly inspect imports and exports to detect concealed drugs in containers.Nigerian Port Authority are expected to facilitate compliance with port security protocols, grant or restrict vessel docking permissions based on threat intelligence.”
“Terminal Operators and Private Security should use CCTV, scanners, and canine units and work closely with law enforcement during inspections Monitor restricted areas and staff behaviour.Port Community (Drivers, Traders, Vendors) should be alert to unusual activities or quick cash trades, avoid acting as couriers for “unknown” goods Report drug-related suspicion to NDLEA or port police.
“Port Health Services and Medical Units should identify signs of drug ingestion or smuggling through the body Support health screening for port workers and travellers. Shipping Companies & Freight Forwarders are to ensure their cargo is not used for smuggling .They should verify documentation and packaging.”, he said.
