FG, India Partner To Stop Codeine Syrup Production

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has said that Nigeria recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with India to prevent the production of codeine-based syrups for importation into Nigeria.

This is even as the agency reiterated that it is strengthening actions and cooperation in curtailing the availability, accessibility, and affordability of drugs.

The Apapa Strategic Commander of the NDLEA, Buba Wakawa, disclosed this on Monday while addressing journalists at the command as part of activities to mark the commemoration of the 2025 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.

He said that the event, which has been billed to take place on Thursday, has been themed, ‘The evidence is clear: Invest in prevention, break the cycle’.

Speaking on the coming event, Wakawa explained that June 26th of every year has been designated by the United Nations as a day to create awareness of the dangers of drug abuse and illicit trafficking and adopt localized actions by member countries aimed to sensitize their immediate communities to achieve a world free of drug use and trafficking.

Wakawa stated that if the country must guarantee sound health and security in our communities, drugs have to be curtailed.

“For example, Nigeria has signed an MOU with India to block the manufacturing of cordine-based syrups for any Nigerian importer. So those are the measures that we took at the international level to curtail the influx of these substances into the country,” he said.