Reps move to strengthen NDLEA drug treatment and rehabilitation services

Reps move to strengthen NDLEA drug treatment and rehabilitation services

The House of Representatives has moved to strengthen drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation services in Nigeria through a proposed amendment to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Amendment, Bill, 2026, sponsored by Garba Mohammed, seeks to empower the agency to establish and operate drug treatment, counselling and rehabilitation centres across the country.

Mohammed said Nigeria’s growing drug abuse challenge, particularly among young people and vulnerable groups, requires a coordinated response that combines law enforcement with medically supervised treatment and rehabilitation.

The lawmaker urged his colleagues to support the bill’s passage for second reading, saying the proposed amendment would provide a stronger legal framework for expanding access to treatment and recovery services.

In a separate development, the House of Representatives has called for urgent action to protect Nigerian girls from harmful practices, including child marriage.

The call followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by Kafilat Ogbara, who represents Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos State, to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on October 11.

Ogbara raised concerns over the continued prevalence of child marriage and other harmful practices affecting girls, urging governments at all levels to strengthen programmes aimed at preventing such practices and protecting vulnerable children.

Following the adoption of the motion, lawmakers called on federal, state and local governments to ensure that every girl has access to education, healthcare, skills development and opportunities to reach her full potential.

The resolutions highlight the National Assembly’s calls for stronger drug rehabilitation services and improved protection of the rights and welfare of the girl child.