The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has recorded some achievements in its war against abuse of narcotic substances, especially with the increasing support from state governments across Nigeria.
In a recent interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief breakfast program, the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, revealed that several state governments have embraced the NDLEA‘s advocacy to make drug testing mandatory for political appointees and employees.
This initiative, which began in 2021, encourages state governments to enforce drug tests for individuals seeking elective office or appointed government positions.
Babafemi clarified that while the initiative is not a law, it has gained traction across the country, with many states adopting it as policy.
He said, “It’s an advocacy move and that has been going on since 2021. Quite a number of state governments are already making this a policy in their states to ensure that whoever goes for an elective position or whoever is appointed to the state government undergoes drug tests. That is going on.
“Like I said, it’s an advocacy move. It’s not a law; all we can do is to encourage the various stakeholders to buy into this.”
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In addition to government officials, Babafemi revealed that the agency has successfully arrested, prosecuted, and convicted about 65 drug barons, including former public office holders, over the past four years.
“In the last four years, from our record, about 65 barons including former public office holders had been arrested, prosecuted and convicted without mentioning anybody’s name to stigmatise them.”
He emphasized that, although high-profile figures have been involved, the NDLEA has refrained from naming individuals to avoid stigma.
“Some of those arrested and prosecuted by the Buba Marwa-led agency had held offices may be at the level of the local government chairmanship position. Even as I speak, we still have quite a number of high-profile persons who are undergoing prosecution at the moment” he stated.
The spokesperson further shared that the push for drug testing is expanding beyond politics. Employers and tertiary institutions have also adopted drug testing as part of their screening processes for new hires and students.
“This is going on not only at the level of politics or those seeking employment but also at the level of our young ones – those going into tertiary institutions – to ensure that they also undergo this test.
“We are glad that indeed this is going on around the country, in institutions. We are seeing these institutions—both private and public—implement drug tests as part of their policy, aiming to reduce the demand for illicit substances among young people,” Babafemi stated.
Furthermore, the NDLEA has extended its advocacy to couples, urging both traditional and religious institutions to incorporate drug testing as part of their premarital requirements.
With these developments, the NDLEA continues to garner support in its ongoing effort to combat drug abuse, signaling positive progress in the agency’s fight against narcotic substance misuse.
