The Lagos State Strategic Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Abubakar Liman Wali has called for a strengthened partnership with the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) to curb the escalating drug problem across the state, describing drugs as the “root cause of all crimes.”
During a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, the Commander emphasized the need for a deeper synergy to address drug proliferation and its direct impact on violent and non-violent crimes. “We have the relationship, but if we can make it stronger, I think we can make headway,” he said, noting that NDLEA places high value on the Fund’s support. “You have been supporting law enforcement agencies, especially the donation of vehicles you gave us early this year. That has really promoted our operations.”
The Commander proposed a robust joint prevention strategy, stressing the importance of catching young people early before addiction takes root. “Prevention is less costly while curing addiction is always difficult. Out of 100% drug addicts, I don’t think we get up to 5–10% that come out of it,” he warned.
He further sought LSSTF’s support in intelligence sharing and requested a visit from the CEO to the NDLEA Strategic Command headquarters.
Giving analytical insight into Lagos’ drug hotspots, NDLEA’s Officer in Charge of Projects, Maji Gideon, illustrated how major crime zones such as Lekki, Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege, and Apapa align geographically with entrenched drug hubs in those places such as Akala and Idi-oro in Mushin, Akerele in Agege, Ago malu in Apapa, Ipodo and Fela shrine in Ikeja, General paint in Lekki/Ajah.
He appealed for support to dismantle these clusters: “As long as these locations exist, even if we give every police station 10 vehicles, something is still fuelling the crimes.”
In response, Dr. Ogunsan described the visit as “the most interesting and educating courtesy visit I have ever had,” praising the Commander’s leadership and NDLEA’s proactive strategies. He pledged concrete support, including facilitating a meeting with the Lagos State Governor and collaborating on training for security agencies and school administrators.
“If we tackle this monster, the police will relax. Every other security agency will relax,” he said, affirming LSSTF’s commitment to fighting drug-related crime at its roots.