Following the BBC investigative report and the ban on codeine sale in Nigeria, there is now a huge demand for Codeine in the black-market economy. This has resulted in the price of codeine being doubled from the original price of 2,500 to a whopping 5,000 naira by underground dealers. According to the BBC report, there are an estimated three million bottles of codeine being consumed on a daily basis in two states.
There is a general notion that the black-market price of the addictive substance will continue to rise as the clampdown gets tougher and tougher. The growing addiction crisis caused by codeine has affected many across the country, leading to severe mental health issues, especially, with a lack of proper rehabilitation.
The ministry of health has refuted allegations that the ban was influenced by the BBC report, despite no previous ban being imposed.
Photo Credit: BBC
