Government officials are raping drug addicts in rehabilitation centres: AFRILAW
Stakeholders in Abuja have decried torture and ill-treatment against people who abuse drugs in religious and government-owned rehabilitation centres across Nigeria.
The stakeholders, drawn from non-governmental organisations and public agencies, disclosed this at the presentation of the briefing paper on torture and ill-treatment against people abusing drugs in Nigeria.
The event, held on Monday, was organised by African Law Foundation (AFRILAW) in collaboration with International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
AFRILAW chief executive officer Okereke Chinwike decried the levels of torture meted out to people abusing drugs.
“From the information available, physical and other forms of torture are perpetrated by state law enforcement agencies include beating, starvation, prolonged solitary confinement, humiliation, and rape,” he said.
He also disclosed that were reported cases of “torture of people who use drugs in closed settings that offer drug rehabilitation services, with a worrying trend reported in both religious centres and certain state-run facilities.”
Mr Chinwike expressed concern that most survivors could not report cases of torture, while a formal investigation did not follow many allegations.
African representative of IDPC Maria-Goretti Logo noted that it was a fact that the criminalisation of drug use was a significant driver of policing and incarceration across the world.
She noted that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated that the number of people who use drugs in Africa would rise by 40 per cent in 2030.
NHRC executive secretary Tony Ojukwu said social conditions such as lack of access to adequate healthcare, education, and homelessness contributed to drug abuse.
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s director-general Buba Marwa said drug users were recognised as victims of drug cartels.
“NDLEA is working in collaboration with UNODC on guidelines on the consent of drug users. This is because the agency does not force individuals to rehabilitation, as they have to appreciate that they have a problem and are ready to be helped,” he said.
(NAN)
More from Peoples Gazette
Economy
Buhari regime will continue to borrow without subsidy removal: Femi Adesina
“You know how much could have been saved if the subsidy was removed and how it could have been diverted to other areas and spheres of national life.
Economy
Nigeria’s crude oil production dropped in March: OPEC
The drop follows a decrease of 24,000 barrels per day compared to the 1.378 million barrels per day produced on average in February 2022.
Faith
Alleged Fraud: Court throws out RCCG pastor’s no-case submission
The RCCG pastor, Ayodeji Oluokun, is standing trial for allegedly issuing dud cheques to the tune of $1.6 million.
Politics
I’ll grow Nigeria’s economy to compete with U.S., Japan in four years: Orji Kalu
The former Abia governor said only him – with 13,000 workers across the country – has the public service experience and capacity to rebuild Nigeria.
Africa
Putin’s War: Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky to address African Union
Senegalese President Macky Sall said Mr Zelensky had spoken with him over the phone of plans “to make a communication to the AU.”
Economy
Manufacturing, agric sector to suffer shocks in Q2 due to Ukraine war: LCCI
“Job losses are also very likely due to constrained production and disrupted supply chains.”
Politics
2023: Akeredolu gives appointees with political ambition April 14 to resign
Those affected are political and public office holders participating as contestants for elective positions or as delegates.
