The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara State Command, has raised the alarm that motor parks in Lagos, Oyo, Abuja, and other cities have become hubs for drug shipments. Commander Fatima Abiola Popoola disclosed this on Tuesday in Ilorin during the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) stakeholder conference, themed “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.” She warned that unless more corporate bodies join the MTN Foundation, Nigeria may struggle to overcome its drug crisis.
Drug Supply Routes Through Commercial Buses
Popoola revealed that illicit drug dealers in Kwara often source their supplies from Lagos, Oyo, Abuja, and other areas via commercial bus operators. She explained that combating this channel is challenging because some drivers, believed to be financially induced, frequently avoid checkpoints. Additionally, she noted that some peddlers use tinted SUV vehicles to transport banned substances.
Call for Corporate Support
The NDLEA commander pleaded with corporate organizations to emulate the MTN Foundation in fighting drug abuse among youths. She highlighted that the one percent annual after-tax deduction used by MTN has significantly contributed to its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts. She lamented that drug abuse has deeply affected society, stating, “It is a known fact that most crimes committed by the youths have underlying drug abuse. We are calling on parents and community leaders to take due care of their young ones.”
Government and Stakeholder Responses
Fielding questions from journalists, the Commissioner for Social Development, Hajia Nnafatimah Imam, described the MTN Foundation advocacy conference as laudable and a decisive move toward ensuring a drug-free society. Other speakers, including MTN Foundation officials, agreed on the need for more advocacy efforts in Nigeria to encourage youths to shun illicit substances that can hinder their potential.
