U.S SLAMS NIGERIA ON FAILURE TO COMBAT DRUG TRAFFICKING

George Bush

United States Government has slammed the Nigerian Government for under funding the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA and other agencies responsible for fighting narcotic crimes.

In what amount to a serious indictment of the President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s administration, a serious gaffe is being identified in the poor coordination of the efforts of the NDLEA and other relevant law enforcement agencies within the Nigerian system making it impossible to implement effective agenda to combat drug trafficking, money laundering and advanced fee fraud otherwise known as 419.

A report released by the United States Department in Washington DC noted that the NDLEA received a token in terms of both recurrent and capital budget in 2007 while every attention was given to political horse-trading in Nigeria.

Musa Yar'Adua

“The Agency received a total sum of N26.824M (ca. $220,000 for administrative expenses and N357M (ca. $3 million) for salaries and benefits ($1 U.S dollar = 118.60 Nigerian Naira). No funds were released for capital projects.”

According to the report made available to pointblanknews.com, despite the poor funding both by President Yar’Adua and his predecessor, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the agency was able to impound narcotic substances with street values estimated at several millions of Dollars. “Between January and September 2007, Nigerian law enforcement apprehended 3440 narcotics law violator suspects and seized a total of 46,487 kg of various types of illicit drugs summarized thus: Cannabis—45,937 kg; Cocaine—259.2 kg; Heroin—85.9 kg; and Psychotropic substances—204.5 kg. Indeed, a single seizure of 62.4 kg of heroin at Kano Airport sent from Pakistan in April 2007 is a strong indication that heroin still remains a serious threat to the country. More vigilance is required not only to prevent the importation of cocaine through the borders but also to prevent the importation of heroin through the airports.”

While noting that Nigeria does not produce cocaine, heroine and other exotic drugs, the report blames the malaise of soaring unemployment, poor salaries and the culture of corruption amongst elected officials for the increased involvement of Nigerians in drug trafficking.

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The U.S report also stated that “Attempts by the NDLEA to arrest and prosecute major traffickers and their associates often fail in Nigeria’s courts, which are subject to intimidation and corruption. Asset seizures from narcotics traffickers and money launderers, while permitted under Nigerian law, have never been systematically utilized as an enforcement tool, but some convicted traffickers have had their assets forfeited over the years. The number of major traffickers penalized remains small. NDLEA has requested that the National Assembly amend the narcotics law to provide a more strict and effective punishment for major traffickers with the minimum sentence being a 5-year jail term and no option of a fine, plus provision for the seizure of a foreign offender’s passport.”

The report added that while Nigeria remains a major export point for drugs to Europe and Asia, “Cannabis is the only illicit drug produced in any large quantities in Nigeria, and it is cultivated in all 36 states. Major cultivation takes place in central and northern Nigeria and in Delta and Ondo states in the south. Marijuana, or “Indian Hemp” as it is known locally, is sold in Nigeria and exported throughout West Africa and into Europe. To date, there is no evidence of significant marijuana imports from Nigeria into the United States. The NDLEA has continued to pursue an aggressive eradication campaign.”

Decrying the poor training of NDLEA and other security agencies officials, the U.S reports assured that “The U.S. government will continue to engage Nigeria on the issues of counter narcotics, money laundering and other international crimes. The underlying institutional and societal factors that contribute to narcotics-trafficking, money-laundering and other criminal activities in Nigeria are deep-seated and require a comprehensive and collaborative effort at all levels of law enforcement and government. Progress can only be made through Nigeria’s own sustained effort and political will, and the continued support of the international community.”