The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) says Nigeria, West and Central Africa as a whole face threatening new developments regarding drug trafficking and drug use.
This was said by the Executive Director of UNODC, Yuri Fedotov while briefing the UN Security Council session, presided by Côte d’Ivoire.
Mr. Fedotov said the UNODC’s 2018 World Drug Report shows that West and Central Africa, along with North African countries, accounted for 87 per cent of pharmaceutical opioids seized globally.
The UNODC chief said “This is largely due to rising use of tramadol, an opioid painkiller that is widely trafficked for non-medical use in the region.
“Africa, along with Asia, also saw the largest rises in cocaine seizures, suggesting that cocaine trafficking and consumption have spread to these markets.
“Through UNODC AIRCOP, which works in several African airports, we know that heroin seizures are on the rise across the region with Lagos, Accra and Cotonou airports high on the list, closely followed by Bamako, Lomé and Ouagadougou.
“Methamphetamine seizures have now almost reached the same level as cocaine seizures, with Lagos and Cotonou being the main airports concerned.
“Recently, an increased number of seizures of precursors such as Ephedrine and Phenacetine have been recorded at both airports, which may indicate the existence of new laboratories producing psychoactive substances.”
UNODC estimated 34 million cannabis users and 1.8 million cocaine users in West and Central Africa as at 2016. And only one in 18 drug addicts has access to required medical attention.
Fedotov further added that they were strong linkages between drug traffickers and the financing of armed groups.
“Links between illicit trafficking in wildlife and natural resources and financing of armed groups; maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea; and mercenary activities linked to transnational organised crime, including trafficking in persons, arms and drugs as well as the smuggling of migrants.”
Mr. Fedotov ended his speech by calling on the UN and various governments to lend a hand in this fight against drug abuse.
