Sir: Drug trafficking is a global phenomenon. According to a 2012 report by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Nigeria tops the list with the highest trafficking and drug use in West Africa. The report further indicates that in the last 15 years, West Africa became the new transit hub for cocaine coming from Latin America and heading for Europe with Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, emerging as the most active centre for air trafficking of cocaine.
The report indicates that close to 50 percent of Africa’s drug couriers arrested in Europe in 2011 were citizens of Nigeria. Nigeria, however, topped the list of major transit routes of heroin going to Europe. Nigeria is reported to have featured prominently among West African states that produce and export cannabis to countries in Europe.
Greed and lust are two major forces driving young people into drug trafficking, it can even push a man or woman to stake their life to traffic drugs even to countries in Asia and Middle-East, which have capital punishment for both drug traffickers and users. These definitely are persons who place the lust for easy money above the value for life.
Drug trafficking is considered a fast and easy way to make money, and remains a thriving business and a serious problem in Nigeria. Some other factors that fuel drug trafficking include peer pressure, financial burden and unemployment.
Sometime ago, a Lagos pastor was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, over drug trafficking. The suspect, Daniel Lanre Akintola, 43, was caught with 1.978kg of heroin concealed in the false bottom of his luggage. This is a clear example of desperation and lust, looking at the fact that a clergyman was involved in this kind of ungodly activity.
Another example is the recent arrest made by the operatives of the NDLEA of a 34-year-old South American man from Suriname, Dadda Lorenzo Harvy Albert, who was arrested at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for bringing into Nigeria 117 parcels of cocaine concealed in extra-large latex condoms factory packed inside bottles of 100ml body spray.
I wonder how the NDLEA officers were able to uncover such a mode of concealment and arrest the suspect. For me, this is clear evidence that they are doing their job properly. Kudos to the Buba Marwa-led NDLEA for the beautiful job they are doing in order to keep drugs off our streets.
• Nanzem Nkup,
Jos, Plateau State