Nigeria has just banned the production and importation of codeine cough syrup, following the #BBCAfricaEye and BBC Pidgin documentary about syrup abuse in the country.
This is the story that led to the ban...
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This is the story that led to the ban...
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In Nigeria, an addictive drug is destroying young lives - codeine cough syrup, a medicine that's become a street drug.
But who makes this syrup? And who sells its to Nigeria’s students?
#BBCAfricaEye and BBC Pidgin went undercover to find out
But who makes this syrup? And who sells its to Nigeria’s students?
#BBCAfricaEye and BBC Pidgin went undercover to find out
Our investigation began with Ruona @RGAMeyer, a reporter with BBC Pidgin.
Ruona’s little brother is among the thousands of young Nigerians who got addicted to codeine syrup
Ruona’s little brother is among the thousands of young Nigerians who got addicted to codeine syrup
The Nigerian senate estimates that up to 3 million bottles of codeine are drunk *every day* in just 2 states, Kano and Jigawa. People who drink it are known as #sciencestudents.
Dealers peddle it on campuses and on the streets. Teens mix it with soda, or swig it straight from the bottle at “coda parties.”
Codeine is an opioid. A #codeinediet - codeine taken in excess - can cause organ failure, schizophrenia, and - when abused for long enough - even death.
In a rehab centre in Kano, @RGAMeyer met this girl – a 16-year-old who’d love to become a nurse, but who got hooked on codeine syrup and is still suffering withdrawal symptoms.
Other addicts are in an even worse state. Some are chained to the floor to prevent them from harming themselves or others.
This is Mr Usaini, who runs the rehab centre and campaigns against the drug.
He told us “Plenty parents come here to cry.”
He told us “Plenty parents come here to cry.”
But how does such a vast amount of medicine end up on the streets?
The BBC’s @RGAMeyer, @adejuwonsoyinka (pictured), and @CNorthcott1 went
undercover to find out...
The BBC’s @RGAMeyer, @adejuwonsoyinka (pictured), and @CNorthcott1 went
undercover to find out...
This guy was a sales rep at Emzor – one of the largest pharma companies in Nigeria.
He illegally sold us 60 bottles of codeine syrup “fresh from the oven.” He has since been fired by Emzor.
He illegally sold us 60 bottles of codeine syrup “fresh from the oven.” He has since been fired by Emzor.
Following our investigation, Emzor put out this statement:
This guy is Mr Hussan, aka Baba Ibeji, from another pharma company, Bioraj. He also sold syrup to our journalists, believing they were syrup dealers.
Statement from Bioraj in next tweet.
Statement from Bioraj in next tweet.
When we asked Bioraj for a response, this is what they told us:
Nigeria’s drug enforcement agency, the NDLEA, has seized tonnes of codeine destined for the street.
They’ve also seized weapons from gangs that deal in syrup.
This is the chainsaw that one gangster used to attack an officer.
The attacker was shot in the leg by an armed NDLEA agent before any damage could be done.
The attacker was shot in the leg by an armed NDLEA agent before any damage could be done.
Plenty of Nigerians are fighting this epidemic. Among them is health care expert Dr. Mairo Mandara @DrMairoMandara
(This statement was made before the government announced today's ban on the manufacture and import of codeine syrup)
(This statement was made before the government announced today's ban on the manufacture and import of codeine syrup)
Following this investigation, Nigeria's First Lady, @aishambuhari, has also expressed concern about the abuse of codeine cough syrup.
You can watch the full investigation now on @BBCAfrica's YouTube channel #BBCAfricaEye
This is the first report from @BBCAfrica’s new investigations unit, #BBCAfricaEye. So much more to come. #NothingStayHiddenForever
