Nigeria and Drug Cartel Links Close to the Summit of Power: A Critical Review

Abstract

The involvement in the global drug trade by West African states was pioneered by Nigerian drug-trafficking organization. Drug trafficking activities also led to Nigeria being dubbed by the global media during the military era as a “narco regime”. This study employed a desk-review research approach with the reports and evaluations obtained from secondary sources of data analyzed through content analysis. The study found new trends adopted by Nigerian drug trafficking criminal groups to include amongst others the production of methamphetamine and the use of Europeans with clean records as trafficking mules for narcotic drugs. The study concluded that drug cartels in Nigeria are closely linked to the summit of power through “elite involvement and protection networks”. However, the Nigeria’s extractive economy from oil which is greater than what drug trafficking can give has made the Nigerian state not to be taken over by the drug barons despite concerns over increasing injection of drug money into electoral politics. The study therefore recommended that counter-narcotic policies aimed at sanitizing the system should adopt a bottom-up approach in order to ensure its effectiveness. Government should also strengthen all relevant institutions saddled with the responsibilities of monitoring illicit financial flows and money laundering activities linked to the drug trade and ensure that offenders are prosecuted.

Keywords: Drug Trafficking, Drug Cartels, Elite Protection, Narcotics