Proliferation of Hard Drugs and Implications for Nigeria’s 2023 Elections

Nigeria’s 2023 electoral process kicks off with a Presidential and National Assembly election in February and March, 2023. Traditionally youths determine the extent of the degree of peacefulness of elections due to their strategic importance in the electoral process. Recent data released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on registered voters indicates that youths account for 48 million out of the 93.5 million registered voters. Corrupt politicians in Nigeria have a history of relying on youth violence to win elections. They aid youths with money, sophisticated weapons and hard drugs to help them rig elections through constructed and organic violence. As part of our 2023 election security risk analysis, ACMGP collated a list of some notable narcotics and the role of law enforcement officers in their circulation:

Loud: Loud is similar to pawpaw or cannabis. However unlike the pawpaw or cannabis, loud is made up of heavy dose of formalin. Formalin which is also known as ‘Formaldehyde’ is a preserving and embalming agent used to preserve human corpse. Addicts informed that after the application of formalin on the loud, it becomes hardened and ready for consumption. Our investigation also shows that loud is preserved in the fridge. It is sold for N500 per wrap

Pawpaw Leaf: Pawpaw leaf according to addicts and dealers is sold for N100, per wrap depending on your location. Pawpaw leaf is produced through similar production process with loud but has a little dose of Formalin chemical compared to the quantity you get in loud.?Its outlook is also very similar with cannabis but has a higher sedation ratio compared to cannabis. It is very common and sold by many individual drug dealers. Pawpaw leaf can also be bought from some Aboki kiosks and in major markets within and around many communities.?

Cannabis: Cannabis shares many similar traits with pawpaw leaf according to users and peddlers. In its 2021 and 2022 Wold Drug Reports, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), indicated that there are about 10 per cent prevalence of cannabis use among 15-16 years old young Africans. Cannabis is commonly sold and can be found in cookies, native meals and in drinks. A wrap of cannabis is sold for N50.00 and is produced through similar process with pawpaw leaf. But unlike loud and pawpaw leaf, cannabis has little dose of formalin chemical. Cannabis is also very similar with pawpaw leaf in outlook but has a low sedation ratio. An investigation into cannabis use during preparations for this report also revealed that some users cook cannabis like Lipton tea and filter out the weed after boiling. The filtered water is either mixed with liquid or dry powdered milk and is then consumed like a normal tea. Users claim that this variant of cannabis makes them very ‘high’ and also help to calm their nerves. Cannabis just like pawpaw leaf is also commonly sold from some kiosks and around local communities.

Lacasera drink mixed with Tomtom Candy concoction: Lacasera drink mixed with Tomtom candy is another commonly consumed substance by young people in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States.?The concoction according to users makes consumers highly intoxicated and helps to address pain and sleep disorder. According to a mental health professional and Lead Counsellor of the Nigerian Navy Hospital (NNS Akaso), Mrs Ebiere Akraka, reasons for the lacasera+tomtom concoction and its popularity amongst young addicts may not be unconnected to the health benefits of tomtom as a candy. She said “Tomtom sweet has an analgesic and antibacterial properties that help to control muscle pain and pathogens that causes sore throat and cough.” Don’t forget that muscle pain, cough, chest pain etc., are common challenges with people who do drugs. So it is logical if they depend heavily on it.” She however stated that from evidence of cases she has seen, those who take the concoction are also heavy consumers of other related drugs.?

Lacasera mixed with Bournvita: Lacasera mixed with Bournvita: is another variant of the lacasera mixed with tomtom concoction that is also very common with young addicts. Speaking with some of the users, they all claimed that lacasera mixed with bournvita protects them against infections that may arise from the sores or injuries sustained through needle injection of other drugs.

However Mrs Ebiere Akraka, stated that Bournvita contains necessary vitamins that boost immune system. She said Vitamins like “B2, B12, and B9 are vitamins that boost the body’s immune system; so if they claim that lacasera and bournvita protects them from infections, this could probably be the reason.” She however warned that the concoction may also have some negative side effects which could further “compound their health challenges.”

Coke drink mixed with Bournvita: ACMGP findings also discovered another drug concoction driving young drug users. Although Coke and Bournvita concoction may not have been heard or popular as its other counterparts, it is however a heavily consumed drugs amongst young addicts.?Those who consume the substance claims it boost their blood production. They further claimed that apart from boosting their blood production, the concoction also provides them with nutrients that can hardly be gotten through any multivitamin tablets; however there is no evidence to validate their claim.

Codeine Syrup: Codeine is a narcotic drug that is used in combination with other medications, to reduce cough, mild or moderate pain. However it is consumed illegally for ultra-medical reasons by young addicts. Addicts who take codeine regularly manifest unpredictable mood or behavioural swings. The abuse of the drug led to a ban on its production and importation by the federal government in 2018. Despite its ban however, codeine remains available in the open market as discovered by ACMGP. Those who take it describe it as a drug of ‘higher value.’ Codeine has an opioid narcotic ingredient which makes it an attractive target of abuse for people seeking narcotic sedation. A check by ACMGP shows that while some addicts mix it with seaman aromatic schnapps or other dry gins, others mix it with desilted liquid from pawpaw leaf, depending on the level of sedation or highness a user wants.?

Rohypnol (The Blue): Rohypnol commonly referred to as ‘the blue’ or ‘refnol’ by those who abuse it, is often used in conjunction with dry gins. Although used for medical related purposes, those who abuse it say they use it as a sedative and sexual enhancement drug. It is very popular amongst young people in Zamfara, Rivers and Imo States and can be bought either from a local chemist or an kiosk. ACMGP findings showed that it is sold for N1300.00. One major characteristic of rohypnol is that it makes the tongue very blue that is why they also call it ‘the blue.’

Tramadol: Those who spoke to ACMGP said they take tramadol for various reasons. While some informed that they take it in order to elevate their sexual appetite and long ejaculation, other said they take it to gain confidence especially whenever they want to embark on certain missions which they wouldn’t name. It is most popular in Kaduna, Kano, Rivers and Imo State.

Cough syrup mixed with tom-tom and lacasera: This is a concoction taken by young addicts to enhance their sexual libido. Beyond prepping them for long hours of sex, the concoction makes them high and gives them false confidence.

Cough syrup and bottle water mixed with three crown milk: Just like the cough syrup, tom-tom and lacasera concoction, this is another drug used by young people in Kaduna, Kano, Rivers State, and Bayelsa States to enhance their sexual libido and false confidence enhancement mechanism.

Captain Black mixed with loud or Erimon: This is a substance they said makes them high, sleep well and enhance their sexual libido.

Crystal Methamphetamine: Crystal Methamphetamine which is locally known as ‘Mkpuru Mmiri or ‘Ice’ is a strong and highly addictive drug that affects the central nervous system. Mkpuru mmiri is a colourless drug that acts as a stimulant. Those who abuse it informed that it makes them brave, sharp, alert and dangerous.

Other concoctions: Malt mixed with seasoning maggi cubes, loud mixed with malt, maggi and dry gins, tying the wrist with cloth socked in sewage waste water which they inhale intermittently, sniffing car or generator exhaust pipes and sitting beside a receptacle or garbage to inhale hydrogen sulphide, dimethyl sulphide, and methanethiol. Addicts or regular users also sit over a suck-away pit to inhale the ammonia smell from the pit. They informed that the ammonia smell from the pit gives them almost the same sedative feelings they get from other drugs such as codeine, refnol, loud, etc.

A psychiatrist, Dr Igbilo Abel, confirmed that cases of psychotic disorder amongst young people are on the increase in the state. He said “most of the cases I attend to are juveniles and a lot of them are substance-induced psychotic disorder.” He explained that psychotic disorder “is a condition caused by the use of or withdrawal from drugs.” He said further that most of the prominent symptoms of psychotic disorder amongst young people in Port Harcourt are “auditory hallucinations where the victim hears voices when no one is around or visual hallucinations where the victim sees people or things that are not real. Dr Abel used the opportunity to call on parents to get interested in the behavioural patterns of their wards, stating that “most cases occurred as a result of irresponsible parenting.”

How proliferation and abuse of hard drugs can trigger a violent electoral process

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in its World Drug Reports of 2021 and 2022 indicates that more young people are using drugs compared to previous generations. The report which reaffirmed the linkage between illicit drugs to violent crimes, states that drugs can fuel and prolong conflict, and that the destabilizing effects as well as the social and economic costs can hinder sustainable development.

Lamenting the proliferation of dangerous substances and how drug induced behaviour can violently impact the 2023 elections, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at a recent event expressed worry that Nigeria has become an “important hub in the global illicit drug network. He said Nigeria "is not only a transit pipeline but also a market."

On the direct impact of such development on the 2023 elections, Mr Mawa said: “With such a huge youth population, you can begin to think that the election in the country will be won by a ‘youth referendum,’ but with so many youths involved in drug abuse, they can hardly make the kind of strong impact that people envisage; just as they cannot hold down a job, they also cannot exhibit prudent electoral choices or execute the civic duty of voting. What you end up having is the phenomenon of self-disenfranchisement among young people because those who are into drug abuse will readily make themselves available as tools for irrational activities such as electoral thuggery and violence.”

Mr Mawa who also recalled how the unabated abuse of methamphetamine led to regional instability, expressed worry that same scenario may also impact the election if nothing is done. “We can recall the social upheaval caused in southeast states in the last quarter of 2021 when there was an outbreak of abuse of methamphetamine. That episode gave us a foresight of the kind of instability that could result from the abuse of illicit drugs by young people.”

Speaking further, Mr Marwa informed that 19, 341 drug offenders and convictions of 3, 111 in addition to the seizure of 5.5 million kilograms of assorted drugs have been recorded in the last 22 months: “To start with, Nigerians are not ignorant about drug trafficking and drug abuse issues. The activities of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, in the past 22 months have given our society a clear picture, certainty and the severity of the drug problem in the country. The arrest of 19, 341 drug offenders and subsequent conviction of 3, 111 in addition to the seizure of 5.5 million kilograms of assorted drugs in 22 months are incontrovertible facts of a deeply entrenched illicit drug subculture. Previously, many Nigerians found it hard to believe that illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin are trafficked in and out of the country.

Similarly, speaking on the theme: ‘Contemporary security challenges and their effects on the 2023 general elections,’ former National Security Adviser to Late General Sani Abacha; Major (Rtd) Hamza Al-Mustapha informed that there are new routes and unhindered movement of drugs into the country through Nigeria’s porous borders. He expressed worry that such movements if not halted could have a negative impact on the 2023 electoral process. “As of today, all the agencies in Nigeria and I’m sure the representative of the Inspector General of Police, if he’s aware of what I’m going to talk about, new discoveries of movements of drugs, arms, are coming into Nigeria through numerous borders and in large quantities. I’m talking of now as I speak. But I’m sure the society is not aware.”

How the police and other law enforcement officers are aiding drug abuse in Nigeria

Most of the peddlers and users who spoke to ACMGP across some of the states with high election security risk alleged that officials of security agencies especially the Nigeria Police Force, pays them regular visit to either do drugs or extort money from them. Some peddlers within and around Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Kaduna, Kano and Imo State, revealed that they pay not less than N20, 000.00 per visit. They also informed that big peddlers’ pay as high as N250.000.00 to N2.000.000 per visit.

They said the amount paid some time also depends on the visiting security team. Security officials named in their allegations include the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Interestingly the NDLEA is the federal law enforcement agency in Nigeria under the Federal Ministry of Justice charged with eliminating the growing, processing, manufacturing, selling, exporting, and trafficking of hard drugs. Specifically the NDLEA is saddled with the responsibility of the prevention of illicit trafficking of hard drugs, enforcement of drug laws, trace and seize financial proceeds from drug businesses and eradicates narcotic plants and substances. ACMGP engaged some of the aforementioned agencies with the findings, especially on the allegations of extortion and engaging in substance abuse.

In our discussion with the NDLEA, the Deputy Commander Narcotics and Deputy Commander Media and Advocacy, of the agency, Rivers State, Mr Emmanuel Ogbumgbada, denied the accusations and challenged the peddlers to provide any evidence to substantiate their claim. Mr Emmanuel said “If they say NDLEA Officers are involved, what is the evidence that the person that is claiming NDLEA is truly an NDLEA Officer? Anybody can come and claim NDLEA Officer in order to gain advantage on whatever the person is looking for; so it’s an unproven fact.” He argued that the agency has internal mechanisms that takes care of erring personnel who are found wanting. “For us in NDLEA we have internal mechanisms that take care of erring personnel. Anybody that is found engaging in such illegality is usually disciplined and at the extreme the person is booted out of the agency, we don’t condone that; we preach and talk about the consequences of engaging in such practices; so it’s a mere allegation that is not proven.

He further challenged those alleging complicity to apprehend erring staff and hand them over to the agency. “If anybody claims to be an NDLEA Officer let them on their own find a way to get the person arrested and bring to us then we will now examine the person and be sure that the person is an NDLEA Officer; but for now we will not accept that kind of allegation.”

Mr Emmanuel also stated that NDLEA works with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) which he said makes it mandatory for the agency to maintain best standards in both operations and conduct of personnel.

Similarly, in a terse response to inquiries by ACMGP on the allegations, the Nigeria Police Force, Rivers State Command, through the Force Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe Koko, denied any involvement of their officers and stated that such allegation had not come to the notice of the command. She said the NPF “does not have any information regarding the allegation against officers of the force.”

Findings by ACMGP however indicate that men of the NPF indeed engage in substance abuse and illegal extortion of peddlers.?Those who live and do business around drug sales point corroborated the claim by drug peddlers and users that different team of police officers pay regular visit to the drug points to extort money or engage in substance abuse. Some traders around markets popularly called ‘Mammy Market and NONWA Market’ also accused military personnel of aiding and abetting drug peddlers in the markets. Mammy markets are attached to Army Barracks and controlled by Soldiers while NONWA markets are owned by the Naval Officers Wives Association (NONWA) and are controlled by Naval Officers. An anonymous trader said: “All the malam dem wey you see around the slaughter, na drug boys and na the navy officers wey dey protect the market dey collect money from them.”?The traders alleged that the markets are usually a beehive of drug activities most evenings. They further informed that drugs are also sold in the open, inside the market.