NDLEA Duties and Functions | Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency: In this article, I will bring you ten (10) functions of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and their role in preventing drug abuse in Naija (Nigeria).
The NDLEA, Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, is a federal agency, and it is more or less a law enforcement agency in Nigeria.
History of NDLEA
This federal agency was established sometime in 1990, that is, January 1, to be precise. And was established by Degree No 48.
The Degree 48, by which, the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency was established is referred to as the Act of Parliament. What was the objective of this Act?
One may ask, the main purpose of the Act was to empower the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency to combat drug smuggling, and drug trafficking, and use of drug within the country, as well as, around Nigeria’s borders.
However, before this time, there was so much drug activities in the country, ranging from drug use to drug trafficking, and as a result, this did become a thing of concern to the Nigerian government hence, the government did not have any other choice than to sign the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act.
Interestingly, in this article, we are going to look at some functions assigned to the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, when it was established. Also, we will briefly consider the role of the Agency in preventing drug abuse in Nigeria.
NDLEA Duties and Functions
The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency was established to perform specific functions in order to combat drug trafficking and drug smuggling, as well as, the use of drug within Nigeria. Having said that, there are other functions assigned to the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency. In this article, however, I will be discussing some of these functions. Below are some of them anywhere:
1. Prevention of Illicit Trafficking if Hard Drugs
Prevention of illicit trafficking of hard drugs, such as, the narcotic drug was one of the functions assigned to the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
So the primary responsibility of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency was to make sure that it enact some measures for the purpose of stopping drugs movement within and around the Nigeria’s borders.
The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency was expected to monitor with a view to stop any drugs business in the country, whether in form of smuggling or trafficking or in the case of drug use. Interestingly, the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency has worked to achieve the above.
2. Enforcement of Drug Law
Another function of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency has been in the area of taking responsibility for coordinating the arrest and investigation, as well as, prosecution of everyone considered drug dealer in the country.
So, all offenses that have to do with drug trafficking or any kind of drug movement was to be arrested and prosecuted by the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
However, besides the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, there are some other drug departments, that are out of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, whose functions are almost similar with that of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
They do work side by side with the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and are accountable to the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency in performing their functions.
3. Operates Beyond Borders To Stifle Drug Business
The jurisdiction of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency is always within the Nigerian borders. Besides this, however, the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, in most case, do undertakes international obligations.
The Agency is in charge of pursuing, and at the same time, coordinating Drug investigation, both in Nigeria and in abroad.
While enforcing drug laws, the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency can work with the international drug departments in various matters, as well as, suppressed international business in illicit trafficking.
4. Traces And Seizes Financial Proceeds From Drug Businesses
Another function of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency is to make sure that, it monitors and track on the financial flow of drug businesses.
It is incumbent of the part of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency to identify financial proceeds that accrued via drug related businesses and offenses, as well as, investigate and confiscate such financial proceeds.
The real issue about illegal and illicit drug business is money. Aside from this financial muscle, some of the offenses that have to do with drug trafficking would be difficult to execute.
That is why, one of the key functions of the Agency is to make sure that it mop up quite enough financial proceeds from illegal and illicit drug trafficking.
5. Eradicates Narcotic Plants And Substances
In most cases, it is advisable that the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency start its duties from the top of the chain.
It is one of the functions of the Agency to make sure that, it eradicates illicit cultivation of narcotic plants as well as, those other substances.
More so, it is incumbent on the part of the Agency to ensure that, the demands for narcotic drug and psychotropic substances are stifled.
6. Builds On The Effectiveness Of Its Efforts In Eradicating The Illicit Drugs
The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s functions is not limited to law enforcement, its function also include its obligation in making sure that, it continues in tweaking the eradication machinery of drug related business for the purpose of improving effectiveness.
It is true that, in drug trafficking business, their participants and dealers are not static, they are always on the look for an edge that is why the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency must be dynamic in its duties and processes.
Now, What Is The Role Of Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency In Preventing Drug Abuse In Nigeria?
The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency played a sensible role in trying to stop drug abuse in Nigeria. It is actually part of what I have been explaining in this article.
The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency has acted as a department of research and a unit of hub of scientific and technical information working towards making sure that, illegal use of illicit and narcotic drug, and other substances, such as, psychotropic substances are eradicated from the Nigerian society.
However, sometimes, the psychotropic substances are being adapted for the purpose of forming fresh or new illegal substances.
And this is why the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency has this role to play. Therefore, it is the obligation of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency to research and gather these activities.
7. Investigation of drug-related crimes
The primary task of the NDLEA is to regularly find measures and means of finding out drug-related crimes which are the cultivation, trading and use of narcotic drugs and substances.
8. Partnering with international agencies to fight drug trafficking
Though a federal agency, the agency has international obligations. Its role is to oversee all drug-related affairs both within and outside Nigeria and enforce international drug laws.
9. Educating the public
The NDLEA educates the public on the narcotic substances; dangers and abuse. They patrol public places such as seaports, airports, and borders to prevent the importation and exportation of hard drugs.
10. Leading in efforts related to drug-related researches
The agency serves as a technical and scientific unit in studies and experiments related to the use of narcotic substances. Since new substances are being adapted to form illegal substances, the NDLEA has a leading role to play in gathering these activities.
