Enforcement of Drug Laws. NHRC’s Boss Calls for Stakeholders Collaboration to Prevent Torture
By Raphael Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) As the world commemorate international Day Against Drug, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN) has called on the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), the Nigerian Correctional Centre, (NCS), the Police and other related agencies and organisations to work together with the commission to ensure that policies are further reformed and implemented to eradicate torture and other punitive measures in the enforcement of drug laws.
Ojukwu, made the call on Thursday, June 26, while speaking at a dialogue session organized by the Commission to mark the 2025 World Drug Day with the theme- Protecting Dignity, Advocating Justice: A Joint Dialogue on Drug Policy Reforms and Torture Prevention in Nigeria.
He said the protection of the dignity of all persons, extends to persons arrested or destined on suspicion of drug related offences as well as convicts is very important.
According to Dr. Ojukwu, preventing torture is not only a legal obligation but a moral imperative that requires consistent political and proper training of security and law enforcement agencies, among other efforts.
He said, “From the depths of my experience, spanning decades in the relentless pursuit of justice, service, and dignity for every Nigerian, it is with deep respect and unwavering commitment to the cause that has gathered us here that I join you today, albeit virtually. This event, “Protecting Dignity, Advancing Justice: A Joint Dialogue on Drug Policy Reform and Torture Prevention in Nigeria,” a commemoration of the 2025 World Drug Day and the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, is not merely a convergence of agendas; it is a profound declaration of our shared humanity and an urgent call to action.
“The National Human Rights Commission holds the themes of today’s dialogue not just as mandates, but as the very bedrock of a just society. For many, these may seem like disparate causes. But from where we stand as an NHRI, having witnessed the raw impact of policy on the lives of ordinary people, we affirm the inextricable linkage of both drug related human rights violations and the theme of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment.
“They converge in the cries of the vulnerable, in the shadows of detention centres, and in the profound human suffering that demands our immediate and empathetic response. This joint commemoration presents an opportunity for Nigeria and its institutions to reckon with the reality that millions of our fellow citizens continue to face dehumanisation, not because they have committed violent crimes, but because they are poor, vulnerable, addicted, detained or simply forgotten.
“The NHRC stands as a trusted, transparent, and results-oriented partner; your partnership in this cause is an investment in the very fabric of human rights in Nigeria, with tangible returns in saved lives, restored dignity, and a more just society.
“To our dedicated civil society leaders and human rights defenders, your passion is our engine that needs to be channelled into concrete collaborative actions. And to individuals who have survived torture, addiction, incarceration, your voices are our compass, your resilience inspires our mandate. Your dignity is not negotiable.
“The road ahead is undoubtedly challenging, long, and arduous. But with our collective, unwavering commitment to human dignity, guided by evidence and propelled by empathy, we can and we must protect dignity and advance justice for all Nigerians. The Commission reaffirms its total commitment to working with all stakeholders to make human rights the foundation of our drug laws, our detention practices and our systems of justice. Let this day mark not only remembrance, but redirection. Not only commemoration, but commitment. I look forward to the transformative outcomes that I know will emerge from our discussions today,” Ojukwu concluded.
