Nigeria must not be a dump for illicit drugs – Yar’adua

The president handed down the warning in Abuja during the World Anti-Illicit drugs day celebration through the Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Michael Kaase Aondoakaa. He said the Federal Government has resolved to give the NDLEA all the necessary support and assistance to fight the war against illicit drugs in the country.

The Justice Minister who said government is aware that drug barons worldwide have concluded arrangements to use Nigeria as a transit route and major market for illicit drugs business, warned that any airline coming into the country with illicit drugs will henceforth be detained while no political pressure from any quarters can change Nigeria’s position.

Earlier in his welcome address, at the NDLEA chairman and chief executive, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, urged the Federal Government to review drugs law in the country by providing stiffer punishment for illicit drug peddlers, saying that about two percent of Nigerians are grappling with the menace of illicit drugs which he said is not easily curable.

Earlier, the head of public affairs of the agency, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, had told Weekly Trust in an exclusive interview that 2,789 suspected drug barons were arrested in Nigeria between January and May this year.