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UNODC Raises Alarm Over Growing Global Illicit Drug Supply

Published

3 years ago

June 26, 2023

Ochuwa Ibrahim

UNODC Raises Alarm Over Growing Global Illicit Drug Supply

By: Michael Mike

Growing illicit drug supply and increasingly agile trafficking networks are compounding intersecting global crises and challenging health services and law enforcement responses, according to the World Drug Report 2023 launched by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Monday.

New data put the global estimate of people who inject drugs in 2021 at 13.2 million, 18 per cent higher than previously estimated. Globally, over 296 million people used drugs in 2021, an increase of 23 per cent over the previous decade. The number of people who suffer from drug use disorders, meanwhile, has skyrocketed to 39.5 million, a 45 per cent increase over 10 years.

The Report features a special chapter on drug trafficking and crimes that affect the environment in the Amazon Basin, as well as sections on clinical trials involving psychedelics and medical use of cannabis; drug use in humanitarian settings; innovations in drug treatment and other services; and drugs and conflict.

The World Drug Report 2023 also highlighted how social and economic inequalities drive – and are driven by – drug challenges; the environmental devastation and human rights abuses caused by illicit drug economies; and the rising dominance of synthetic drugs.

The report showed that demand for treating drug-related disorders remains largely unmet with only one in five people suffering from drug-related disorders were in treatment for drug use in 2021, with widening disparities in access to treatment across regions.

Youth populations are the most vulnerable to using drugs and are also more severely affected by substance use disorder in several regions. In Africa, 70 per cent of people in treatment are under the age of 35.

The report argued that public health, prevention, and access to treatment services must be prioritized worldwide, or drug challenges will leave more people behind. It further underscored the need for law enforcement responses to keep pace with agile criminal business models and the proliferation of cheap synthetic drugs that are easy to bring to market.

Reacting to the findings of the report, UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly said: “We are witnessing a continued rise in the number of people suffering from drug use disorders worldwide, while treatment is failing to reach all of those who need it. Meanwhile, we need to step up responses against drug trafficking rings that are exploiting conflicts and global crises to expand illicit drug cultivation and production, especially of synthetic drugs, fueling illicit markets and causing greater harm to people and communities.”

According to the report, the right to health is not granted to many people who use drugs; large inequalities in access and availability of controlled drugs for medical use persist, particularly for pain management; the disparity is particularly prevalent between the global North and South and across urban and rural areas, making some people feel the negative impact of drugs more than others.

Some 86 per cent of the world’s population live in countries with too little access to pharmaceutical opioids (as controlled under the 1961 Single Convention) – mainly low and middle-income countries; some impoverished and vulnerable populations, such as those in the tri-border area between Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, are trapped in rural areas with a high prevalence of drug-related crimes, with their remote locations make it exceedingly difficult for them to benefit from treatment services, resources, or the rule of law.

The report explained that the drug economy in the Amazon Basin is exacerbating additional criminal activities – such as illegal logging, illegal mining, illegal land occupation, wildlife trafficking and more – damaging the environment of the world’s largest rainforest. Indigenous peoples and other minorities are suffering the consequences of this crime convergence, including displacement, mercury poisoning, and exposure to violence, among others; environmental defenders are sometimes specifically targeted by traffickers and armed groups.

It stated that while the war in Ukraine has displaced traditional cocaine and heroin routes, there are signs that the conflict could trigger an expansion of the manufacture and trafficking of synthetic drugs, given the existing know-how and the large markets for synthetic drugs developing in the region: in the Sahel, the illicit drug trade finances non-state armed and insurgency groups, while in Haiti, drug traffickers take advantage of porous borders to bolster their businesses, fueling the country’s multiplying crises.

The report said while new research on the use of controlled drugs such as psychedelics to treat mental health conditions and substance use disorders shows promise, it however cautioned that the fast pace of developments could jeopardize efforts to enact policies that place public health concerns over commercial interests; without well-designed, adequately researched frameworks in place, there may be too little access for those who need treatment – potentially causing patients to turn to illegal markets – or conversely, the psychedelics may be diverted for non-medical use.

The report said the cheap, easy, and fast production of synthetic drugs has radically transformed many illicit drug markets; criminals producing methamphetamine – the world’s dominant illegally manufactured synthetic drug – are attempting to evade law enforcement and regulatory responses through new synthesis routes, bases of operation, and non-controlled precursors.

It raised the alarm that fentanyl has drastically altered the opioid market in North America with dire consequences, noting that in 2021, the majority of the approximately 90,000 opioid related overdose deaths in North America involved illegally manufactured fentanyls.

It was however said drug ban in Afghanistan may have reversed upward opium production trend; the 2023 opium harvest in Afghanistan may see a drastic drop following the national drug ban, as early reports suggest reductions in poppy cultivation, stressing that the benefits of a possible significant reduction in illicit opium cultivation in Afghanistan in 2023 would be global, but it will be at the expense of many farmers in the country who do not have alternative means of income generation.

It added that Afghanistan is also a major producer of methamphetamines in the region, and the drop in opiate cultivation could drive a shift towards synthetic drug manufacture, where different actors will benefit.

UNODC Raises Alarm Over Growing Global Illicit Drug Supply

News

Six killed, nine injured in fatal auto crash in Plateau

Published

17 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Six killed, nine injured in fatal auto crash in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Six persons were killed and nine others injured in a fatal motor accident involving a trailer truck at Shendam Road junction in Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Sources said that the accident occurred at about 5:30 a.m. on Jan. 4 when a trailer conveying about 400 bags of unprocessed rice from Yelwa-Shendam en route Kano State lost control and fell off the road.

The deceased were identified as Samaila Dahiru, from Katsina State; Sanusi Ladan Yelwa, from Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State; Abubakar Sa’id, from Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State; and Zaradeen Makama, from Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State.

Police said two other victims died in the crash but were yet to be identified as at the time of filing this report.

They added that nine persons sustained varying degrees of injuries.

“On receipt of the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer, Langtang North, mobilised and led a team of policemen to the scene and cordoned off the area,” the sources said.

They said the injured victims were rushed to the General Hospital, Langtang North, with the assistance of personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and members of the public for medical attention.

According to the sources , the identified corpses were released to their relatives for burial in line with Islamic rites.

Six killed, nine injured in fatal auto crash in Plateau

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Realistic training key to winning modern battles, says Army Chief as he declared the TRADOC Conference 2026 open

Published

17 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Realistic training key to winning modern battles, says Army Chief as he declared the TRADOC Conference 2026 open

By: Zagazola Makama

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has reiterated that realistic, mission-oriented and doctrine-driven training remains the most critical enabler for superior operational outcomes across Nigeria’s diverse theatres of operation.

Shaibu made this assertion while delivering his opening remarks at the 2026 Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Conference, which formally commenced the Nigerian Army’s training activities for the year.

The Army Chief warned that failure to adequately and realistically prepare officers and soldiers for assigned missions would inevitably undermine operational effectiveness, noting that the evolving and increasingly complex security environment demands a force that is professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient.

According to him, the conference was convened to promote robust and forward-looking deliberations aimed at aligning training, doctrine and operational concepts with contemporary and emerging security challenges confronting the nation.

Shaibu said Army Headquarters remained firmly focused on sound policy formulation and holistic, mission-specific training, in line with his Command Philosophy.

He charged commandants and leaders of training institutions to internalise this philosophy and translate it into practical outcomes by producing combat-ready, resilient and adaptable troops capable of operating effectively within joint and multi-agency environments.

The COAS described the theme of the conference, “Enhancing Nigerian Army Operational Outcomes Through Effective Training and Doctrine Implementation,” as apt and timely, stressing that doctrine must continue to guide training, planning and the execution of operations across all formations.

He urged participants to relate conference presentations to real operational experiences, with a view to strengthening the Army’s capacity to counter terrorism, insurgency and other contemporary security threats.

Shaibu placed particular emphasis on Exercise MUGUN BUGU, describing it as the hallmark of Nigerian Army training activities. He said the exercise remained central to validating doctrinal principles and assessing operational readiness.

The Army Chief called for greater realism in training scenarios, including the integration of improvised explosive device (IED) threats, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) procedures and the expanded use of simulators to enhance proficiency and cost-effectiveness.

While acknowledging the sacrifices of Nigerian Army personnel in safeguarding national security, Shaibu reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening fighting power, improving welfare and administration, and providing purposeful leadership to confront threats to peace and security.

He also commended past commanders of the Training and Doctrine Command, retired senior officers and the current TRADOC leadership for their contributions to the development of the Nigerian Army.

The COAS appreciated the conference resource persons for their insights, which he said would help shape the Army’s training and doctrinal direction in the year ahead.

Shaibu further expressed gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his sustained support to the Nigerian Army, while reaffirming the unalloyed loyalty of the Service to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In his welcome remarks, the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Maj.-Gen. Peter Malla, described the conference as a critical intellectual platform for setting the tone for Nigerian Army training activities in 2026.

Malla said the conference underscored the Army’s unwavering commitment to doctrine-driven, realistic and mission-focused training as the foundation for operational effectiveness, particularly in an increasingly complex and adaptive security environment.

He noted that Nigeria’s prolonged engagements in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and other internal security operations had consistently highlighted the vital link between sound doctrine, effective training and operational success.

The TRADOC commander reaffirmed the command’s commitment to Nigerian Army Doctrine as the professional blueprint guiding operations, stressing the need for doctrine to remain dynamic and responsive to emerging threats.

He urged participants to actively engage in deliberations, challenge assumptions and propose practical solutions aimed at enhancing training effectiveness and strengthening the Army’s collective operational competence.

The COAS later formally declared the Training and Doctrine Command Conference 2026 open

Realistic training key to winning modern battles, says Army Chief as he declared the TRADOC Conference 2026 open

News

One killed, nine arrested as rival gangs clash in Kano

Published

17 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

One killed, nine arrested as rival gangs clash in Kano

By: Zagazola Makama

One person was killed and nine suspects arrested following a violent clash between rival thuggery groups in Kawo and Mariri areas of Kano metropolis, sources have confirmed.

Sources told the Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Jan. 4 at about 9:00 p.m., following a fight between two rival groups led by Kabalo Snu and Faizu Mohammed, popularly known as Chabross of Yar Kasuwa, Kawo Quarters.

According to the sources, the clash was a reprisal attack linked to an earlier confrontation between the two groups. They said that earlier in the day, at about 1:40 p.m., Faizu Mohammed allegedly inflicted injuries on Kabalo during a separate altercation, prompting members of Kabalo’s group to launch a retaliatory attack later that night.

During the reprisal, Faizu Mohammed was reportedly stabbed in the neck with a sharp object, sustaining severe injuries. He was rushed to Sir Muhammadu Sanusi Specialist Hospital, where he died while receiving treatment.

The sources said the corpse was subsequently released to his relatives for burial, while normalcy was restored in the area.

However, tension resurfaced in the early hours of Jan. 5 when information was received that some suspected thugs were mobilising in large numbers at Kawo Quarters, allegedly to carry out another reprisal attack on Kabalo at his residence located at Jar Kuka, Mariri Quarters.

The sources said police operatives were swiftly deployed to the area and arrived to find that the suspects had already broken into a shop belonging to Kabalo.

According to the sources, the operatives charged into the area, arrested nine suspects and recovered some exhibits, while several others fled the scene.

The sources added that the situation has since been brought under control, with normalcy restored across the affected neighbourhoods. Investigation is ongoing, while efforts are being intensified to arrest other fleeing suspects and prevent further breakdown of law and order.

One killed, nine arrested as rival gangs clash in Kano