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| Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC |
In a remarkably bold maneuver tackling escalating drug trafficking issues, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration proposes implementing the death penalty fairly quickly nationwide for individuals involved in illicit drug distribution.
NAFDAC's Firm Position on Drug Trafficking
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, has vociferously spoken out about the need for stringent measures to deter peddlers of fake drugs, which lead to tragic outcomes like the deaths of kids. She cited alarming instances where meds for kids were sold cheaply, raising concerns about the authenticity and safety of these products.
Senate's Approval of Death Penalty for Drug Offenses
The Nigerian Senate nodded significantly towards the death penalty for individuals involved in the importation of hard drugs under murky circumstances. The decision came after deliberations on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Amendment Bill 2024, which replaces life imprisonment with the death sentence. Bill targets cocaine and heroin traffickers with severe punishment amidst grave offenses nationally.
Diverse Perspectives on the Proposed Penalty
The proposal sparked a spectrum of reactions. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime expressed opposition to the death penalty for drug-related offenses, stating it contradicts global trends towards abolishing capital punishment. UNODC's country representative, Oliver Stolpe, emphasized no conclusive evidence exists that the death penalty serves as an effective deterrent to drug abuse and trafficking somehow.
On the flip side, some legal practitioners and lawmakers favor stringent measures, arguing it could serve as a formidable deterrent against the proliferation of hard drugs in the country. The House of Representatives has indicated its readiness to align with the Senate's decision, underscoring the necessity to address the drug menace decisively.
NAFDAC's Ongoing Efforts to Combat Drug Hawking
Beyond advocating for stricter penalties, NAFDAC actively warns Nigerians against patronizing drug hawkers who sell counterfeit, substandard, or expired drugs posing significant health risks. Prof Adeyeye says drugs are sensitive life-saving commodities that should not be sold on streets or open markets.
Drug hawkers arrested by NAFDAC will be prosecuted and face jail terms as NAFDAC intensifies nationwide enforcement operations. NAFDAC labels these hawkers as merchants of death, cautioning that many drugs they sell are bad for health. The agency vows strict action against drug hawkers found selling drugs illegally. NAFDAC warns Nigerians against purchasing drugs from street vendors because health risks are inherently linked with these transactions somehow.
This development opens the floor for balanced discussion on effective strategies to combat drug trafficking in Nigeria. The severity of the proposed penalty underscores the issue's gravity, but a holistic approach, including prevention, rehabilitation, and strict enforcement, is crucial for tackling root causes of drug abuse and trafficking, which slowly become a major concern nationwide.