The Federal House of Representatives has mandated the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to come up with a mechanism aimed at targeting the eradication of drug bunks in all the states of the federation.
Recent statistics from the Agency showed 40% of Nigerian youth aged 18–35 involved in drug abuse, and according to a report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), over 14.3 million aged 15–64 engaged in the same act.
The said it is alarming that drug bunks are being opened in strategic locations in various cities across the country and fast becoming hostels where young Nigerians are found spending their entire day.
“These bunks are well-known to security agencies and citizens”.
According a motion moved by
Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo (Ikono-ini federal constituency, Akwa Ibom) and seconded by seconded by Hon. Zannah Usman the House was worried that drug abuse in Nigeria is a growing concern, affecting personal growth, societal values, and health and security risks, with hotels and transport companies allegedly aiding illegal activities.
They are also concerned that the future of Nigerian Youths is destroyed as they invest all their finances from legitimate or illegal means in enriching Drug Barons, affecting the country’s development and progress, a situation which jeopardizes the future of youths and undermines the development and progress of the country.
Reps maintained that the functions of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, among others, are “strengthening cooperation with the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Police Force, Customs, Immigration, Welfare Officials, Health Officials, and Other Law Enforcement Agencies in the eradication of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances,” as mandated by Section 3(r) of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap.N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004;
“Also that the provisions of Section 3(f) of the Act, which state that “adoption of measures which shall include coordinated preventive and repressive action, introduction and maintenance of investigative and control techniques”
