By Kelvin Obambon
As part of activities marking the 2026 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Cross River State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has taken its sensitization campaign to marketplace, warning traders against the devastating impact of substance abuse.
Speaking during the sensitization exercise at Watt Market on Wednesday, Sebastian Lebo, the Public Relations Officer of the NDLEA Cross River State Command, noted that the marketplace sensitization is a core component of a week-long series of events leading up to the global commemoration.
“Every year on the 26th of June, the world all over celebrates the Day Against Substance Abuse and Illicit Trafficking,” Lebo said. “So this year, we have a week-long event that is going on, and this sensitization at Watt Market is one of the activities we have. We are here today to sensitize the market men and women against the use of substances and illicit drugs.”
Lebo added that the week’s activities will culminate in a grand finale on Friday, June 26, 2026, featuring a city walk from the Calabar Municipal Council through Marian and Barracks Road, terminating at the Millennium Park.
The sensitization effort follows a press briefing earlier on Tuesday where the State Commander of the NDLEA, CN John Anteyi, outlined the drug landscape in the state. The command identified cannabis, tramadol, codeine-based cough syrups, and methamphetamine as the most prevalent substances abused in Cross River.
According to Commander Anteyi, the full spectrum of commonly abused substances in the state spans cannabis (marijuana) and cannabis seeds, tramadol and other prescription opioids, codeine-based cough syrups, Methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs, cocaine and heroin, sedatives, tranquilizers, alcohol, and tobacco products (including vapes), inhalants such as glue, petrol, and paint thinners.
He expressed deep concern over a rising trend where users mix multiple substances to achieve stronger intoxicating effects, warning that this “poly-substance” abuse significantly spikes the risk of addiction, mental illness, overdose, and death. The Commander attributed the rise in youth drug abuse to peer pressure, unemployment, poverty, family instability, social media influence, cultism, and easy access to illicit substances.
The agency’s aggressive enforcement drive between November 2025 and May 2026 yielded massive contraband intercepts. The command recorded a total seizure of 6,575.009kg of illicit drugs, which broke down into: 6,397.59kg of Cannabis Sativa, 1.465kg of cannabis seeds, 166.37kg of psychotropic substances, 778.64g of methamphetamine, 60.4g of cocaine and 20.17g of heroin.
Within this seven-month window, the agency arrested 262 drug offenders (207 males and 55 females), secured 28 convictions, and successfully destroyed 14 hectares of cannabis farms in Akamkpa Local Government Area.
Anteyi concluded by reminding the public that drug abuse destroys dreams, weakens families, fuels local crime, and undermines regional development.
