The NDLEA Amendment: A Flawed Approach to Drug Control in Nigeria

 

Nigeria’s Senate has amended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act, introducing life imprisonment for individuals found guilty of storing, transporting, or concealing illicit drugs. While framed as a move to combat drug abuse, this amendment has raised serious concerns about its impact on justice, fairness, and the vulnerable communities it disproportionately affects.

Critics argue that this law takes a punitive stance without addressing the root causes of drug abuse, such as poverty, lack of education, and inadequate mental health resources. By focusing on punishment rather than rehabilitation or prevention, the amendment risks perpetuating the systemic issues that drive addiction and drug-related crimes.

Law enforcement in Nigeria, plagued by corruption and inefficiencies, cannot be trusted to implement such severe measures without abuse. Marginalized individuals are most likely to suffer from wrongful arrests or extortion, while influential figures escape accountability.