Special report: Abuja thriving hard drugs districts unveiled

Abuja is regarded as one of the finest cities in Nigeria and also among the best in Africa. It is equally regarded as the fastest growing capital city in the continent.

In the 2006 census, the city of Abuja had a population of 776,298, making it one of the ten most populous cities in Nigeria. According to the United Nations (UN), Abuja grew at the rate of 139.7 per cent between 2000 and 2010, making it the fastest growing city in the world.

As of 2015, the city is still experiencing an annual growth of at least 35 per cent, still retaining its position as the fastest-growing city on the African continent and one of the fastest-growing in the world. Abuja has witnessed a huge influx of people into the city.

This unprecedented growth has led to the emergence of satellite towns, such as Karu, Kubwa, Gwagwalada, Lugbe and Kuje. The unofficial population figure of Abuja stands at over three million, making it the fourth largest metropolitan area in Nigeria, surpassed only by Lagos, Kano and Ibadan. As at 2016, the metropolitan population of Abuja is estimated at 6 million persons.

Sadly, however, the serenity of the city is being threatened by growing cases of illegal drug businesses at the heart of the city. From Wuse to Garki, Maitama to Asokoro, the story is the same; illegal drug businesses are thriving and those saddled with the responsibility of safeguarding the sanity of the city are looking the other way.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), drugs and substance abuse are “the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs”. It also refers to a condition in which a person consumes the substance in quantities or with procedures which are not approved or monitored medically. Substance and drugs abuse encompasses the use of “mood-altering or psycho-active drugs; illicit drugs – narcotics; stimulants; depressants (sedatives); hallucinogens; cannabis; glues and paints, substance abuse often includes problems with impulse control and impulsive behaviour.

“They either stimulate or depress the central nervous system and produce sedative, stimulants, hallucinogenic, exhilarative, brain dysfunctional physical and psychological disorders on an individual”.

The twist to the sale of hard drugs in Abuja is that it has gone beyond the era when peddlers carried out their trade with fear.”

A report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on drug activities in Abuja over a five-year period – between 2010 – 2014, showed that 31,614.58kg of narcotic drugs was seized and 475 suspects prosecuted. The NBS report indicated that 2013 recorded the highest number of drugs seized in the nation’s capital. Within the same year, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), confiscated 13,622kg of narcotic drugs, which was higher than 3,807.71kg seized in 2011. The report further showed that in 2012 and 2014, 5,094.30kg and 6,440.20kg of illegal drugs were seized respectively in Abuja.

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A visit by Ripples Nigeria to the hotbed of illicit drug businesses in Abuja, was an eye opener. According to verifiable findings, the popular Banex Junction in Wuse II is notorious for selling of hard and illicit drugs, ranging from cocaine to Marijuana. The drug peddlers, ply their trade under the watchful eyes of security agents who are always within the vicinity.

At the gas station, where the peddlers hang around and wait for their old and new customers, a police van is stationed there 24/7. Besides that, there are about four commercial banks within the area and each one has at least two police officers attached to them. But they look the other way whenever the peddlers hobnob with customers.

Our correspondent who was alerted by a staff in one of the eateries within the area, paid a visit to the place during the week to verify the claims. Our correspondent drove to the gas station, under the guise that he wanted to fill up his fuel tank. As he was advised, he behaved accordingly.

After buying N2,000 fuel, our correspondent parked his vehicle just beside the gas station, turned on the air conditioner of his car and waited. After about five minutes, he was approached by an unsuspecting peddler who tapped the door of the car. Reluctantly and as advised, our correspondent, responded.

“You wan buy package” the light-skinned Hausa/Fulani looking man, probably within the age bracket of 22-26, asked. Feigning ignorance, our correspondent retorted: which of the package dey available?”

“Anyone dey available, depending on your choice,” the peddler responded.

“Coke dey available?” our correspondent asked. “Yes, we get. But e dey expensive because of dollars. Which size you want? If na small size, na 20k. If you want medium, na from 50k. Which one you fit afford?” he queried again.

In a bid to probe further, our correspondent pleaded: “Too many people dey here. You go fit arrange am so that we go see later. I go call you and you go meet me somewhere make I buy.”

The peddler rejected the offer. “We dey arrange everything with sense. Person dey with the package. Once you agree, you go drive out, then he go meet you halfway to deliver the package. You pay the guy the money. Nobody go suspect any at all.”

Since our correspondent was not ready to buy, he inquired if he could pay N5,000 for the small package. The peddler became furious and charged at him. “Na force? If you no get money, why you come here? Na small children dey taste coke?” he said angrily and walked away.

Our correspondent turned on the engine of his car, while the group of suspected peddlers were watching and drove off. While the negotiations lasted, a police van was parked less than 50 meters away and no policeman showed any interest.

Our correspondent’s voyage did not end there. The next point of call was still within Wuse II. That is the link bridge to Ademola Adetokumbo road. That is along Ahmadu Bello Way. Beneath the bridge, there is a thriving drug market. This time, its Marijuana. It is sold on wholesale there. Operators of small kiosks troop in there to patronize them.

Since it appeared unsafe, our correspondent did not go in. Instead, he beckoned on a young man who was washing a car to make inquiries. His revelation was shocking. He spoke in pidgin English, which has been translated here:

“Whenever you want to do things, you come here. If you go under that bridge, you will see so many things. When you drive through, its hard to notice anything. But when you come here, you see things. Some people live there. They do all manner of things. Some are carpenters, while some work outside during the day and retire there at night.

“It is not only drugs that they sell there. If you come here in the night, it is usually a different story. People come here to hide and do short time. Girls who stay on the streets to look for male customers bring their men here sometimes. The people here do not really care. The girls settle them and everyone is happy,” he narrated.

In Utako and Jani axis, there is another brand of illegal drug business thriving there. Small kiosks owners sell Marijuana to willing customers, especially tricycle riders and commercial taxi drivers. They do not display the product across the counter, but quietly sell to anyone who shows interest.

The small kiosk owners also sell assorted cough syrups, which has also become popular as a stimulant, to people. Since a medical report is needed before cough syrups can be sold to people sometimes, users instead, patronize these kiosks where the sellers have them in abundance.

All across the city, the story is the same. Like many core northern states, Abuja is gradually relapsing and is becoming a breeding ground for sale and consumption of illegal drugs.

 

 

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