Dele Akinsola, veteran journalist and Managing Director/ Executive Editor at Persecondnews, addressed the challenges during an interview on Rock City FM 101. 9 monitored by Persecondnews which also featured NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
He emphasized that drug trafficking is neither a new nor an isolated crime.
Instead, it has grown into a deeply entrenched, global enterprise run by highly organized and sophisticated international networks.
“Drug trafficking is not a new phenomenon; it is a long-standing global criminal enterprise that has evolved over decades into a highly organised and highly profitable trade sustained by international networks,” he said.
He said recent intelligence suggests stronger collaboration between Nigeria and international partners, including cases involving arrested foreign nationals.
“I believe recent intelligence shows stronger collaboration between Nigeria and international partners aimed at cutting supply chains from source countries, especially with arrests of foreign nationals and repatriation after prosecution,” he stated.
He said that this evolution explains why drug trafficking remains difficult to eradicate, as syndicates constantly adapt their methods and expand across borders, making enforcement more complex for national agencies like the NDLEA.
He noted that such suspects are usually prosecuted in Nigeria before repatriation, stressing the need for deeper bilateral cooperation to strengthen enforcement outcomes.
Akinsola argued that NDLEA’s advocacy should not be limited to secondary schools but expanded to markets, government institutions, universities, private organisations, and public offices.
“Advocacy should not be limited to secondary schools alone but extended to markets, government institutions, universities, private organisations and public offices, as everyone must be part of the campaign,” he emphasized.
He stressed that drug abuse cuts across all layers of society, insisting that everyone must be actively involved in prevention and awareness campaigns.
He further argued that enforcement alone is not enough, calling for broader preventive measures such as routine drug testing in sensitive environments to deter abuse among youths.
“Enforcement alone is not enough. There should be broader preventive measures such as routine drug testing in sensitive environments to deter abuse among youths,” he warned.
He also supported stiffer penalties, including life imprisonment for major traffickers.
“I suggest life imprisonment for major traffickers and also the creation of a national black book to document convicted offenders for public accountability and deterrence,” he stated.
Akinsola called for government-funded rehabilitation centres to support addicts, especially youths, noting that drug abuse is driven by unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, and quick-money incentives.
“Government-funded rehabilitation facilities will help reintegrate addicts, especially youths, into society. Drug abuse is worsened by unemployment, poverty, peer pressure and quick-money incentives.”
He further advocated structured empowerment programmes such as farm settlements, agro-industrial hubs, and monitored start-up funding for youths, arguing that sustainable economic opportunities would reduce vulnerability to drug-related crimes.
On enforcement strategy, he stressed the need for stronger inter-agency collaboration involving NDLEA, police, customs, DSS, and the military, noting that porous borders and evolving concealment methods continue to challenge enforcement efforts.
Despite the challenges, the Persecondnews Managing Director expressed confidence that Nigeria can win the fight against drug trafficking if strategies are sustained and properly coordinated.
Also speaking during the interview, NDLEA’s Babafemi, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustaining its offensive against drug cartels across the country, noting that operations and advocacy will continue simultaneously.
He added that intelligence-led operations, community engagement, and inter-agency collaboration remain central to NDLEA’s strategy in reducing both supply and demand of illicit drugs nationwide.
Author
Leave a comment