“Nigerian Youths Take Fermented Urine, Lizard Dungs To Get Intoxicated” – NDLEA Laments

By Akinwale Kasali

The National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has raised alarm over the high intake of hard drugs by Youths, mostly of Borno State.

The Agency disclosed that youths in Borno State are drinking fermented human urine, preserved for over 10 days, as an alternative to hard drugs to get ‘high’.

Iliyasu Mani, the Commander of Narcotics in Borno State revealed that the  abuse of psychoactive substances was prevalent among the youths, noting that they also take other unusual substances such as lizard dung, camel urine, Lipton soaked in gin, and Mentholated spirit mixed with soft drinks.

Mani added that the Youths go to the extreme of inhaling toilet fumes and gutter dirt in their quest to get intoxicated.

Mani said, “Let me state categorically here that these new psychoactive substances that are commonly abused today include Cannabis Sativa, skunk, Cough syrup with codeine; Ice, Tramadol, Rohypnol, Diazepam, Pentazocine, rubber solution, glue, gutter dirt, toilet fumes, lizard dung.

“Others include lipton soaked in gin, camel urine, mentholated spirit in soft drinks; 10-day-old human Urine, and so on.”

Mani said the NDLEA command, under his watch, had fought a hard battle against drug abuse but “unfortunately, the issue of substance abuse is even getting challenging, especially with the involvement of young teens in the abuse of new psychoactive substances, especially women.”

“Despite all these, we must not lose our hope as the agency has strengthened its efforts towards prevention strategy through the establishment of remodeled counselling/rehab centre within the premises of Borno State Command,” the NDLEA commander said.

Mani said his command had also established drop-in centres across all tertiary institutions to serve as drug abuse research centres for the benefit of all.

He said the command, under his watch, had seized  4.5 tonnes of illicit substances and arrested 863 suspects, of those arrested, he said 53 had been convicted while 736 were undergoing counselling.

The intake of hard drugs by Youth in Nigeria has grown astronomically with Medical Expert saying that Youth mostly engage in this illicit act due to bandwagon, peer pressure, emotional distress and depression.