THE war on drugs remains a long-running battle, which demands incessant dedication and attention, and Delta State is no exception. Like many parts of Nigeria, Delta is not isolated from the scourge of drug trafficking and abuse, which has left devastating impacts on youth and families. Although the creation of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in 1989 was a major step in Nigeria’s national drug control strategy, the persisting problem in Delta calls for urgent and intensified efforts at every level.
The NDLEA was set up with a clear mandate to tackle the cultivation, processing, manufacturing, sale, trafficking and use of hard drugs. It was envisioned to lead Nigeria’s charge against narcotics and ensure that the country does not become a haven for drug cartels. However, even with this federal structure in place, drug trafficking remains rampant in many parts of the country, including Delta State.
The current drive by the state government, under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to rid the state of drug abuse and trafficking is not just timely, but also commendable. Through the Drug-Free Delta campaign championed by the State’s Orientation and Communications Bureau, the government has launched a large-scale sensitisation,
Lllatargeting youths in over 40 secondary schools across the state. There are also plans to expand the initiative to tertiary institutions, to reach vulnerable minds before they become victims of the drug menace.
In addition to these efforts, the state government is upgrading some rehabilitation centres in the state, with the facilities in Kwale and Agbor nearing completion.
The centres will provide a safe environment for victims to recover, supplementing NDLEA’s objectives. Such facilities are critical for not just rescuing addicts but also assisting them in reintegrating into society.
However, even as these interventions are being rolled out, the activities of drug peddlers continue unabated in some parts of the state, which poses serious doubts about enforcement. The NDLEA must take stronger steps to identify and dislodge the drug distribution networks operating with effrontery in broad daylight. Strategic hotbeds such as the Sweet Spirit Hotel and Pinnacle Hotel axis along Okpanam Road in the state capital have been frequently cited as spots where dealers operate brazenly. It is both troubling and unacceptable that, despite previous raids, these locations continue to harbour drug activity.
The NDLEA must intensify surveillance and deploy counter-intelligence mechanisms to track down not just street-level dealers but the kingpins and sponsors behind them. Drug cartels do not work in isolation; they grow on a sophisticated network of suppliers and distributors, which must be found out and eradicated. Arrests must be backed by evidence that will lead to conviction, to send strong signals that drug crimes will not be tolerated in Delta.
We also call for improved partnership between the security agencies. The fight against drug trafficking cannot be left solely to the NDLEA. The police, military, customs and even the local vigilance groups have roles to play. Exchange of information must be unhindered, and joint operations could be considered in areas identified as hotspots.
We appeal to the State Government to assist the NDLEA in moving its operational headquarters to the state capital from Ogwashi-Uku, for more effective coordination.
Delta State cannot afford to be a soft spot for drug dealers. The lives and futures of its youth are too important. With political will, institutional collaboration, and sustained citizen awareness, it is possible to make the state hellish for drug cartels to thrive. The message must be clear that there is no hiding place for such elements in Delta.
