Ndlea
Cross River State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a passionate call for sustained collaboration from government institutions, relevant agencies and key stakeholders across the state in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
The call comes at a time drug-related concerns continue to pose threat to the social fabric of communities across Nigeria and Cross River State is not an exception.
The appeal was made at a press event held in Calabar to mark the 2026 United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking observed worldwide on June 26 every year. The day is a collective reminder of the joint responsibility of governments, communities, families and individuals to protect people from the tragic consequences of substance abuse. This is also an opportunity to raise awareness, mobilize action and establish partnerships for healthier, safer and drug-free society worldwide.
The NDLEA State Commander used the opportunity to stress the comprehensive scope of the agency which encompasses drug prevention, sensitization, counselling, treatment, rehabilitation and confronting the deep-rooted nexus between drug addiction and crime. Since its inception in 1989, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has been in the forefront of Nigeria’s efforts to fight drug related crimes and curb the demand for illicit substances across the country.
“Enforcement is not all that the agency does. It’s about saving lives, restoring families and rebuilding communities shattered by addiction.”
The briefing expressed concerns about the growing and increasingly dangerous tendency of mixing several substances to produce higher intoxication effects. This risky habit, which is growing more prevalent, especially among young people, greatly raises the risk of addiction, severe mental illness, overdose and, in many cases, death.
“The substances of abuse go far beyond the commonly known narcotics,” the commander added. They also contain household products such as glue, fuel, paint thinners and other volatile compounds, commonly available but quite harmful.
The Cross River State Command, in a detailed performance report spanning the period from November 2025 to May 2026, recorded remarkable operational successes. A total of 262 drug offenders were apprehended during the review period, comprising 207 male and 55 female. This aligns with the agency’s mission to inclusive enforcement, understanding that drug misuse and trafficking are not issues isolated to any certain segment of the population.
Cannabis sativa alone accounted for about 6397 kg of seizure recorded in Cross River State throughout the same period which were equally remarkable. The total weight of the substances collected was about 6,575 kg. These numbers are not just about operational success but also about lives potentially spared from the disastrous road of substance dependency.”
In her powerful voice, the wife of the Cross River State Governor and Chairperson of the State Drug Control Committee joined the campaign by calling for more advocacy, awareness campaigns, prevention programmes and community engagement initiatives in every local government area in the state.
She called on all Cross Riverians, including community leaders, religious bodies, schools, parents and youth groups to join in the collective fight against drug misuse. Her message was unambiguous: this is not a fight the government can win by itself.
The message from the NDLEA is loud and clear. In this struggle, government assistance, inter-agency synergy and active engagement of the community are not optional. They are the basic basis upon which a safer, healthier and drug-free Cross River State may be built upon.
As the globe observes yet another International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the message from Calabar is one of resolve, accountability and collaborative action.
