Nigeria Strengthens Anti-Drug Campaign at Abuja Summit

Nigeria held a summit in Abuja focused on enhancing its anti-drug campaign, with the theme aimed at uniting stakeholders including government officials, security agencies, civil society organizations, and health experts. Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Georg Akum, the Permanent Secretary of the General Service Office, emphasized the commitment to initiatives that prevent drug abuse, dismantle trafficking networks, and improve access to treatment and rehabilitation.

Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), reported that the agency arrested 29,262 suspects and seized 5.3 million kilograms of illicit drugs valued at over 1.5 trillion Naira in the past 18 months. The summit aimed to build consensus on a national action plan prioritizing prevention and treatment, with a focus on collecting reliable data and strengthening community resilience.

The NDLEA's ongoing campaigns have reached nearly five million Nigerians, with 13,508 individuals receiving treatment for drug dependence.