Over 60% of Nigerian drug offenders are youths, says NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Buba Marwa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, revealed that over 60% of drug offenders arrested in Nigeria in the past five years are young people. He also stated that the majority of the 48,836 drug users counselled and treated at NDLEA facilities during the same period were youths. Marwa shared this information during a public lecture at the University of Abuja's combined convocation ceremony. He highlighted that among the 77,859 drug offenders arrested, some were as young as 15 years old. Marwa warned that drug offenses lead to severe consequences, including a permanent criminal record that can derail future careers. He expressed concern over the shift from traditional drugs to synthetic opioids and designer drugs, noting the increasing role of social media in drug distribution and student involvement in trafficking. Marwa linked drug abuse to cultism, campus violence, and impaired mental capacity, citing the 2018 National Drug Use and Health Survey which indicated that many Nigerians begin substance abuse around age 19, with increasing experimentation among those under 15. He urged graduating students to avoid peer pressure and maintain a clear mind, emphasizing that drug abuse affects not only individuals but also families, institutions, and society. Marwa called on stakeholders to intensify efforts against drug abuse and commended the University of Abuja for its collaboration with the NDLEA on campus surveillance.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, stated that he relies on his wife's prayers for continued support from President Bola Tinubu, highlighting its importance for ministers to fulfill their mandates. Speaking at the inauguration of the Water Supply Network to Bwari Satellite Town, Wike mentioned that his administration has officially commissioned 50 projects and plans to commission 10 more before January. He stressed that presidential backing is crucial for performance, drawing from his experience as a former governor and minister. Wike revealed he asks his wife to pray for the President's continued support for the FCT Administration, acknowledging the support received has enabled positive changes. He added that governance aims to improve citizens' lives, a goal he believes the Tinubu administration is working towards.
Must ReadThe National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA of Nigeria and its Egyptian counterpart are preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding MoU to enhance cooperation in fighting substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. This agreement aims to strengthen intelligence sharing, joint operations, and training between the two nations. NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa retd., announced this during a visit from the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Fouad, at the agency's headquarters in Abuja. Marwa emphasized the global nature of the drug problem and the need for international collaboration, citing existing partnerships with various international law enforcement agencies. He noted that drug cartels are seeking alternative routes in Africa due to pressure elsewhere and highlighted NDLEA's success in dismantling drug manufacturing operations, including methamphetamine labs run by Mexican cartels in Nigeria. Ambassador Fouad underscored the importance of stronger bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Nigeria, as prominent African countries, to address narcotics trafficking from a continental perspective. The proposed MoU is expected to bolster intelligence gathering, capacity building, and coordinated enforcement actions to curb the illicit drug trade across Africa.
A coroner's court in the United Kingdom has ruled that Beatrice Solomon, a 27-year-old Nigerian woman, died by suicide. Ms. Solomon, who moved to the UK in November 2023 on a skilled worker visa, was found unresponsive in her Stanfield home. Her husband, Damian Butler, discovered her upon returning home from work. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene. Police investigators ruled out any third-party involvement. During the inquest, Mr. Butler stated that his wife had struggled with her mental health for the past year, attributing it to issues with Stoke-on-Trent City Council. He also revealed that Ms. Solomon had made two previous attempts to take her own life. A post-mortem examination determined the cause of death as oxygen deprivation. Coroner Li Hammond-Naylor concluded that Ms. Solomon died by suicide, noting that she had researched and planned the act. Ms. Solomon, a caregiver, is survived by her husband, a son, and her siblings.