The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has attributed the rising insecurity in Nigeria to sophisticated criminal networks exploiting technology, social media platforms and transnational routes to expand the illicit drug trade.

The Commander, NDLEA, Oyo State command, Lawal Adetula, made the assertion at a news conference to commemorate the 2026 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Friday in Ibadan.

The theme of the celebration is “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges and Innovative Responses”.

Mr Adetula, represented by deputy commander admin and logistics, DCN Obiajuru Okoire, said that the world drug trade had developed beyond the traditional patterns of drug cultivation, production and trafficking.

“The world is now bedevilled by sophisticated criminal networks exploiting technology, social media platforms and transnational routes to expand illicit drug trade,” he said.

The commander decried the situation where vulnerable youths have become targets of devastating consequences of substance abuse, such as poor health, crime, violence, among others.

He pledged the NDLEA’s and other stakeholders’ commitment to continuously explore new strategies that combine prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, community engagement, intelligence-led enforcement, technology-driven interventions, and evidence-based policies to fight the drug menace. 

According to Mr Adetula, the drug war cannot be won by law enforcement agencies alone and requires collaborative efforts of government institutions, families, schools, religious bodies, and traditional institutions, among others.

“Oyo State Command of NDLEA remains committed to pursuing a balanced approach that combines drug supply reduction with drug demand reduction initiatives.

“Through sustained sensitisation campaigns and school outreach programmes, community engagements, treatment and rehabilitation services and strategic enforcement opportunities, the menace will be drastically controlled,” he said.

Mr Adetula said the command would continue to work tirelessly towards protecting the communities from the menace of drugs.

Also speaking, NDLEA Zonal Commander, Obaniyi Sylvester, said the use of illicit drugs had continued to spread to nooks and crannies of the country.

Mr Sylvester, represented by NDLEA Deputy Zonal Commander, Adebimpe Odewale, said NDLEA would not relent in tackling the menace of illicit drug abuse and trafficking.

In his remarks, Ajanaku Toyin, NDLEA Deputy Commander in charge of counselling, treatment, and rehabilitation, said some youths were exposed to the harmful impacts of illicit drug abuse online.

He expressed optimism that the menace of illicit drug abuse and trafficking would be eradicated through embracing innovative ways, counselling, rehabilitation and collaboration of stakeholders.

(NAN)