The House of Representatives on Wednesday mandated the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency to do away with drug bunks nationwide owing to a recent report alerting Nigeria of her youth’s involvement in drug abuse.
The House cited a report credited to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime which put over 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15–64 to be involved in drug abuse.
The resolution of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion titled ‘Call on the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency to Eradicate Drug Bunks in the Country,’ sponsored by a member representing Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo.
Leading the debate, Ukpong-Udo noted that drug bunks are being opened in strategic locations across major cities in Nigeria; a development he said, portends danger for the society.
The House, he said is “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.
“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 that jeopardises the future of youths and undermines the development and progress of the country.
“Note 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.
The House “also notes the provisions of Section 3(f) of the Act, which state the “Adoption of measures which shall include coordinated preventive and repressive action, introduction and maintenance of investigative and control techniques.”
The House subsequently referred the motion to the Committee on Drugs and Narcotics to ensure compliance.