Investogist
No Result
View All Result
Friday, August 1, 2025
  • News
    • All
    • Africa
    • Nigeria
    • World
    Nigeria to concession Enugu, Port Harcourt and three other airports

    Federal Government approves 30-year concession for Enugu Airport

    Only 23% of Nigerians trust INEC- Report says

    Nationwide Voter registration begins August 18 – INEC

    FG approves 300% increase in electricity tariff

    NERC has no authority over state tariff – Enugu Electricity Regulator

    US Court clears Donald Trump to run for President

    Breaking: US and EU agree trade deal

    Federal Government commissions three “ultra-modern” oncology centers

    Federal Government commissions three “ultra-modern” oncology centers

    How to register for Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s 2025/2026 Post-UTME and Direct Entry Screening

    How to register for Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s 2025/2026 Post-UTME and Direct Entry Screening

    Nnamdi Azikiwe University issues notice to Postgraduate Graduands on 17th Convocation Ceremony

    Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s guidelines for 2025/2026 POST-UTME, Direct entry screening exercise

    FG lists 4 border points in Ukraine Nigerians can cross to safety

    FG denies JSS1 admission age rumors, confirms 10-year minimum

    FG approves 300% increase in electricity tariff

    Enugu State Electricity Regulator lacks power to reduce electricity tariff – NERC

    • Nigeria
    • Africa
    • World
  • Economy
    • All
    • Budgets
    • Economic Data
    • Policies
    “CBN plans to shut down financial transactions” – Apex Bank warns of fake news

    CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee retains interest rate at 27.50%

    President Tinubu approves establishment of South-East Investment Company

    President Tinubu approves establishment of South-East Investment Company

    UK tightens visa rules for care workers, skilled workers and students

    UK tightens visa rules for care workers, skilled workers and students

    United States scraps visa dropbox service for Nigerian applicants

    President Donald Trump cancels protection for 500,000 Haitian migrants

    Spain golden visa scheme ends as Portugal and Greece demand increases

    Spain golden visa scheme ends as Portugal and Greece demand increases

    CBN fines nine banks 150 million Naira each for failing to dispense cash

    CBN ends free ATM withdrawals for other banks’customers

    FG increases private university application fee from N5m to N25m

    FG increases private university application fee from N5m to N25m

    United States scraps visa dropbox service for Nigerian applicants

    United States scraps visa dropbox service for Nigerian applicants

    Buhari says Nigeria security and economy improved during his tenure

    Buhari says Nigeria security and economy improved during his tenure

    • Policies
    • Budgets
    • Economic Data
  • Business
    • All
    • Agriculture
    • Companies
    • Industry
    • Technology
    Board of Fidson Healthcare Plc approve 55 kobo Dividend

    Fidson Healthcare to raise ₦30 billion additional capital

    Board of United Capital Plc (UCAP) declare 70 Kobo dividend per share for 2020 financial year

    Prof. Chika Mordi and Mr. Emmanuel Nnorom retires from United Capital Plc’s Board

    Dr. Ayebae, founder of Fidson Healthcare Plc retires as MD/CEO

    Dr. Ayebae, founder of Fidson Healthcare Plc retires as MD/CEO

    Shareholders of Linkage Assurance Plc approve share bonus distribution

    Shareholders of Linkage Assurance Plc approve share bonus distribution

    Aradel Holdings to list shares on NGX Main Board October 14

    Aradel Holdings Plc reports N368.1 billion revenue for H1 2025

    Custodian Investment Plc announces 25 kobo interim dividend

    Custodian Investment Plc announces 25 kobo interim dividend

    Seplat Energy increases share capital, lists new shares

    Seplat Energy increases share capital, lists new shares

    MTN Nigeria to pay over N200 billion final dividend for 2022

    List of Dividends announced in 2025, qualification and payment dates

    FY 2020: UAC of Nigeria Plc posts 27.8% decline in profit after tax from continuing operations

    UAC of Nigeria grows revenue by 32.6% to N110.4 billion in H1 2025

    • Companies
    • Industry
    • Technology
  • Markets
    • All
    • Commodities
    • Cryptocurrencies
    • Forex
    • Rates & Bonds
    • Stocks/Equities
    Nigerian Exchange – Stock Market report for the week ended 7th July, 2023

    The Nigerian Exchange records impressive performance in H1 2025

    Cryptocurrency: XRP hits new All-Time High at US$3.65

    Cryptocurrency: XRP hits new All-Time High at US$3.65

    NGX suspends trading in the shares of four listed companies

    Banking stocks plunge after CBN suspends banks under regulatory forbearance from paying dividends

    ELECTION: Cutix Plc reschedules Board Meeting

    Weekly Report: Nigerian Exchange sees mixed performance as Cutix Plc emerge top gainer

    Again DMO offers N360 billion FGN bond for February

    DMO offers N300 billion FGN bond for auction in May

    NGX Daily Equities Market Report: Market gains for third consecutive days

    CSCS Plc explores listing on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX)

    NGX Daily Equities Market Report: Market gains for third consecutive days

    NGX delists Flour Mills shares, lists additional NB and Jaiz Bank shares

    Bitcoin soars above $21,000 as U.S. dollar sags

    BITCOIN hits $103,000 for the first time

    Bitcoin (BTC) rises above US$90,000 records a new all time high

    Bitcoin (BTC) rises above US$90,000 records a new all time high

    • Stocks/Equities
    • Forex
    • Rates & Bonds
    • Commodities
    • Cryptocurrencies
  • Travel & Tours
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Nature
    • Places & People
  • Opinion & Analysis
    • All
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Investogist Business Saturday
    • Op-ed
    How does family of 6 survive with income of N250,000 a month

    How does family of 6 survive with income of N250,000 a month

    Trump wins a resounding victory in first Republican primary in Iowa

    How Donald Trump won the 2024 U.S Presidential Election

    Rovina Medical Diagnostic Services offers free Breast and Prostrate cancer scans

    Rovina Medical Diagnostic Services offers free Breast and Prostrate cancer scans

    Security features of the new naira notes revealed by the CBN

    New hope for Naira fixed income savers?

    The Nigerian Stock Market: Has Tinubu’s Election impacted the Market Negatively?

    Nigerian Exchange gains 5.37% in Tinubu’s first week, highest for any President since return to Democracy

    The Nigerian Stock Market: Has Tinubu’s Election impacted the Market Negatively?

    The Nigerian Stock Market: Has Tinubu’s Election impacted the Market Negatively?

    Just in: Bandits attack President Buhari’s convoy in Katsina, two injured

    2015 vs 2023 Data: Nigeria situation went from bad to worse under Buhari

    Who is Hiba Abouk soon to be Achraf Hakimi’s ex-wife worth millions of dollars?

    Who is Hiba Abouk soon to be Achraf Hakimi’s ex-wife worth millions of dollars?

    LP won Obio-Akpor LGA Rivers State not APC as announced – INEC’s IReV

    APC won Abua-Odual and Ahoada East LGAs of Rivers State as announced – INEC’s IRev

    • Editorials
    • Book Club
    • Investogist Business Saturday
    • Op-ed
  • Sports
    • Football
  • Vacancies
Investogist
  • News
    • All
    • Africa
    • Nigeria
    • World
    Nigeria to concession Enugu, Port Harcourt and three other airports

    Federal Government approves 30-year concession for Enugu Airport

    Only 23% of Nigerians trust INEC- Report says

    Nationwide Voter registration begins August 18 – INEC

    FG approves 300% increase in electricity tariff

    NERC has no authority over state tariff – Enugu Electricity Regulator

    US Court clears Donald Trump to run for President

    Breaking: US and EU agree trade deal

    Federal Government commissions three “ultra-modern” oncology centers

    Federal Government commissions three “ultra-modern” oncology centers

    How to register for Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s 2025/2026 Post-UTME and Direct Entry Screening

    How to register for Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s 2025/2026 Post-UTME and Direct Entry Screening

    Nnamdi Azikiwe University issues notice to Postgraduate Graduands on 17th Convocation Ceremony

    Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s guidelines for 2025/2026 POST-UTME, Direct entry screening exercise

    FG lists 4 border points in Ukraine Nigerians can cross to safety

    FG denies JSS1 admission age rumors, confirms 10-year minimum

    FG approves 300% increase in electricity tariff

    Enugu State Electricity Regulator lacks power to reduce electricity tariff – NERC

    • Nigeria
    • Africa
    • World
  • Economy
    • All
    • Budgets
    • Economic Data
    • Policies
    “CBN plans to shut down financial transactions” – Apex Bank warns of fake news

    CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee retains interest rate at 27.50%

    President Tinubu approves establishment of South-East Investment Company

    President Tinubu approves establishment of South-East Investment Company

    UK tightens visa rules for care workers, skilled workers and students

    UK tightens visa rules for care workers, skilled workers and students

    United States scraps visa dropbox service for Nigerian applicants

    President Donald Trump cancels protection for 500,000 Haitian migrants

    Spain golden visa scheme ends as Portugal and Greece demand increases

    Spain golden visa scheme ends as Portugal and Greece demand increases

    CBN fines nine banks 150 million Naira each for failing to dispense cash

    CBN ends free ATM withdrawals for other banks’customers

    FG increases private university application fee from N5m to N25m

    FG increases private university application fee from N5m to N25m

    United States scraps visa dropbox service for Nigerian applicants

    United States scraps visa dropbox service for Nigerian applicants

    Buhari says Nigeria security and economy improved during his tenure

    Buhari says Nigeria security and economy improved during his tenure

    • Policies
    • Budgets
    • Economic Data
  • Business
    • All
    • Agriculture
    • Companies
    • Industry
    • Technology
    Board of Fidson Healthcare Plc approve 55 kobo Dividend

    Fidson Healthcare to raise ₦30 billion additional capital

    Board of United Capital Plc (UCAP) declare 70 Kobo dividend per share for 2020 financial year

    Prof. Chika Mordi and Mr. Emmanuel Nnorom retires from United Capital Plc’s Board

    Dr. Ayebae, founder of Fidson Healthcare Plc retires as MD/CEO

    Dr. Ayebae, founder of Fidson Healthcare Plc retires as MD/CEO

    Shareholders of Linkage Assurance Plc approve share bonus distribution

    Shareholders of Linkage Assurance Plc approve share bonus distribution

    Aradel Holdings to list shares on NGX Main Board October 14

    Aradel Holdings Plc reports N368.1 billion revenue for H1 2025

    Custodian Investment Plc announces 25 kobo interim dividend

    Custodian Investment Plc announces 25 kobo interim dividend

    Seplat Energy increases share capital, lists new shares

    Seplat Energy increases share capital, lists new shares

    MTN Nigeria to pay over N200 billion final dividend for 2022

    List of Dividends announced in 2025, qualification and payment dates

    FY 2020: UAC of Nigeria Plc posts 27.8% decline in profit after tax from continuing operations

    UAC of Nigeria grows revenue by 32.6% to N110.4 billion in H1 2025

    • Companies
    • Industry
    • Technology
  • Markets
    • All
    • Commodities
    • Cryptocurrencies
    • Forex
    • Rates & Bonds
    • Stocks/Equities
    Nigerian Exchange – Stock Market report for the week ended 7th July, 2023

    The Nigerian Exchange records impressive performance in H1 2025

    Cryptocurrency: XRP hits new All-Time High at US$3.65

    Cryptocurrency: XRP hits new All-Time High at US$3.65

    NGX suspends trading in the shares of four listed companies

    Banking stocks plunge after CBN suspends banks under regulatory forbearance from paying dividends

    ELECTION: Cutix Plc reschedules Board Meeting

    Weekly Report: Nigerian Exchange sees mixed performance as Cutix Plc emerge top gainer

    Again DMO offers N360 billion FGN bond for February

    DMO offers N300 billion FGN bond for auction in May

    NGX Daily Equities Market Report: Market gains for third consecutive days

    CSCS Plc explores listing on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX)

    NGX Daily Equities Market Report: Market gains for third consecutive days

    NGX delists Flour Mills shares, lists additional NB and Jaiz Bank shares

    Bitcoin soars above $21,000 as U.S. dollar sags

    BITCOIN hits $103,000 for the first time

    Bitcoin (BTC) rises above US$90,000 records a new all time high

    Bitcoin (BTC) rises above US$90,000 records a new all time high

    • Stocks/Equities
    • Forex
    • Rates & Bonds
    • Commodities
    • Cryptocurrencies
  • Travel & Tours
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Nature
    • Places & People
  • Opinion & Analysis
    • All
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Investogist Business Saturday
    • Op-ed
    How does family of 6 survive with income of N250,000 a month

    How does family of 6 survive with income of N250,000 a month

    Trump wins a resounding victory in first Republican primary in Iowa

    How Donald Trump won the 2024 U.S Presidential Election

    Rovina Medical Diagnostic Services offers free Breast and Prostrate cancer scans

    Rovina Medical Diagnostic Services offers free Breast and Prostrate cancer scans

    Security features of the new naira notes revealed by the CBN

    New hope for Naira fixed income savers?

    The Nigerian Stock Market: Has Tinubu’s Election impacted the Market Negatively?

    Nigerian Exchange gains 5.37% in Tinubu’s first week, highest for any President since return to Democracy

    The Nigerian Stock Market: Has Tinubu’s Election impacted the Market Negatively?

    The Nigerian Stock Market: Has Tinubu’s Election impacted the Market Negatively?

    Just in: Bandits attack President Buhari’s convoy in Katsina, two injured

    2015 vs 2023 Data: Nigeria situation went from bad to worse under Buhari

    Who is Hiba Abouk soon to be Achraf Hakimi’s ex-wife worth millions of dollars?

    Who is Hiba Abouk soon to be Achraf Hakimi’s ex-wife worth millions of dollars?

    LP won Obio-Akpor LGA Rivers State not APC as announced – INEC’s IReV

    APC won Abua-Odual and Ahoada East LGAs of Rivers State as announced – INEC’s IRev

    • Editorials
    • Book Club
    • Investogist Business Saturday
    • Op-ed
  • Sports
    • Football
  • Vacancies
No Result
View All Result
Investogist
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Akuskura: the new deadly Psychoactive Substance in town – NDLEA

Monday, 5 September 2022, 12:25 am
in News, Nigeria
1
Akuskura: the new deadly Psychoactive Substance in town – NDLEA
Share Share Share Share Send as Email

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians about a new deadly “psychoactive substance” which has made its way into various parts of Nigeria.

NDLEA gave the waring in an article by the Special Assistant to the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Mahmud Isa Yola.

The substance is called Akuskura or Kuskura and is of different varieties, according to the article.

It is used in both liquid and powdered form by people who are mostly seeking to raise their levels of psychological or nervous activity in the body.

In his piece, Mr Yola said that “Akuskura is largely distributed under the guise of herbs. They are mostly retailed by local herbalists and Islamic chemists.”

He explained that Akuskura represents a serious threat to public health and poses a challenge for drug policy.

Below is the full article as put out by the NDLEA.

AKUSKURA: The New Deadly Psychoactive Substance in Town

By Mahmud Isa Yola

Recently, there has been a rapid emergence of a dangerous new psychoactive substance known as Akuskura/Kuskura, which is made of herbs laced with tobacco and cannabis and which is rapidly replacing controlled psychoactive substances, dominantly in the northern and south-west parts of Nigeria. When taken, the substance sometimes causes sudden, violent, irregular movement of the body and contraction of muscles.

The name Akuskura, sometimes known as kuskura or akurkura, is derived from the Hausa word “kuskura” noun, which can be used interchangeably to mean gargling and rinsing.

The substance, which is of different varieties, is used in both liquid and powdered form by people who mostly seek to raise their levels of psychological or nervous activity in the body, or put it in simple terms, get high.

Akuskura came into the front-line on social and conventional media when the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, intercepted over seven thousand bottles of the illicit substance along the Abuja-Kaduna express road, slated for distribution across seven northern states of Borno, Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, Gombe and Nasarawa. Although the seizure is the biggest made so far, there were several arrests and seizures made by the agency in different parts of the country.

Following the record-breaking seizure, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, in a press briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on August 19th, made the announcement of the official ban of the psychoactive substance.

She said the agency received a number of reports of the use of a herbal preparation known as “Kurkura,” particularly in the country’s South West and Northern axis. The agency swung into action and carried out intelligence and enforcement actions.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, New Psychoactive Substances are “substances of abuse, either in a pure form or a preparation, that are not controlled by the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs or the 1971 Convention on Psychoactive Substances but which may pose a public health threat”.

The term “new” does not necessarily refer to new inventions—several NPS were first synthesized decades ago—but to substances that have recently become available on the market.

As a new psychoactive substance, Akuskura represents a serious threat to public health and poses a challenge for drug policy.

The negative health impacts and social harms of NPS are frequently largely unexplored, which makes prevention and counseling extremely difficult.

It is difficult to analyze and identify the many different chemicals that are simultaneously present in the drug.

The above facts place people who take new psychoactive substances such as Akuskura at a high risk. According to the UNODC, the use of NPS is often linked to health problems.

In general, side effects of NPS range from seizures to agitation, aggression, and acute psychosis, as well as potential development of dependence. NPS users have frequently been hospitalized with severe intoxications.

Many NPS have no or very limited safety data on their toxicity and carcinogenic potential, and information on long-term adverse effects or risks is still largely unknown.

The purity and composition of products containing NPS are often unknown, which places users at high risk, as evidenced by hospital emergency admissions and deaths associated with NPS, often including cases of poly-substance use.

Akuskura is largely distributed under the guise of herbs. They are mostly retailed by local herbalists and Islamic chemists, to mention but a few.

Akuskura wholesaler in Zaria city explained that the substance is originally meant for the treatment of headaches and catarrh and serves as a poster remedy against jinns and evil spirits.

He says kuskura is also used as a sex enhancer among men. However, there is no scientific explanation for whether the substances are safe or can cure any form of sickness.

This therefore drives home the fact that the substance has no established medicinal value. Despite its unsafe nature, Akuskura is patronized by thousands of people in Nigeria.

Maikudi Shaga, a 31-year-old Zaria-based mechanic, confessed in a newspaper interview that he is addicted to the substance, adding that he uses the liquid substance at least seven times a day and said it gives him the energy to work efficiently without being subjected to physical fatigue.

Another user, Malam Adamu Mohammed, who spoke in a media interview, said that he does not see Akuskura as an illicit substance and that is the notion held by many other users. He said he has been using it for more than a year now and it cures malaria, typhoid, pile headaches and increases his performance in bed.

The spread of Akuskura is undoubtedly aided by the fact that the substance is largely and ignorantly misconstrued as a medicine. A whole-seller in Zaria was quoted to have said he sells more than 300 bottles of Akuskura in a day.

Another factor that aids the prevalence of Kuskura is its affordable price. The substance is readily available in Islamic chemists’ and other local herbal centers at a very cheap price. With a bottle sold at the cost of N100 and sometimes a drip for N50, the Akuskura is affordable even to a low-income earner.

Thirdly, the substance gives both hallucinogenic and stimulant effects to its users. Hence, it is filling the void of controlled substances, which are now very scarce due to the surge of arrests and seizures by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). With a bottle of codeine sold between N7,000 And N25,000 and beyond, Akuskura offers substance abusers an easy alternative with just N100 or even less.

However, the adverse effect of Akuskura remains disturbing. Like all other illicit substances, Akuskura gives a euphoric effect of being “high” for a certain period of time.

However, there are health-threatening short and long time effects such as dissociation, violent episodes, psychotic episodes, compulsive desire to commit crime, aggression, perceptual distortion, hallucination and many others.

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) OFR, during a brief interview with the British Broadcasting Cooperation, BBC Hausa, said that the agency will continue to dismantle the clandestine factories behind the production of the illicit substance, adding that the recent seizure of over 7,000 bottles by the agency sends a warning to the peddlers of the illicit drug that the NDLEA will continue to deal with them within the ambit of the law.

This should serve as a desist warning to the users and traffickers.

Ifunanya Ikueze
Ifunanya Ikueze

Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.

Related Posts:

  • UCL – Preview
    UEFA Champions League Preview – PSG Unleash ‘Deadly’ Trio
  • Plane crash survivors 4 children
    Four children found alive 40 days after deadly plane crash
  • Charles Soludo
    Vote for Peter Obi, Gov. Soludo tells Town Union Presidents
  • Bournemouth Luton R
    Abandoned AFC Bournemouth vs Luton Town FC fixture…
Previous Post

EFCC files 11-Count Charge against Ogun Speaker Oluomo, full list

Next Post

FG agrees to pay $496 million as settlement claim for Ajaokuta Steel, others

Next Post
FG agrees to pay $496 million as settlement claim for Ajaokuta Steel, others

FG agrees to pay $496 million as settlement claim for Ajaokuta Steel, others

Please login to join discussion
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
MTN Nigeria to pay over N200 billion final dividend for 2022

List of Dividends announced in 2025, qualification and payment dates

Shareholders of Linkage Assurance Plc approve share bonus distribution

Shareholders of Linkage Assurance Plc approve share bonus distribution

Custodian Investment Plc announces 25 kobo interim dividend

Custodian Investment Plc announces 25 kobo interim dividend

Dr. Ayebae, founder of Fidson Healthcare Plc retires as MD/CEO

Dr. Ayebae, founder of Fidson Healthcare Plc retires as MD/CEO

Nigeria to concession Enugu, Port Harcourt and three other airports

Federal Government approves 30-year concession for Enugu Airport

Only 23% of Nigerians trust INEC- Report says

Nationwide Voter registration begins August 18 – INEC

Board of Fidson Healthcare Plc approve 55 kobo Dividend

Fidson Healthcare to raise ₦30 billion additional capital

Board of United Capital Plc (UCAP) declare 70 Kobo dividend per share for 2020 financial year

Prof. Chika Mordi and Mr. Emmanuel Nnorom retires from United Capital Plc’s Board

Quick Links

News
Economy
Markets
Business
Opinion & Analysis

Newsletter Signup

Contact Investogist

info@investogist.com

  • About Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 investogist.com, All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Nigeria
    • Africa
    • World
  • Economy
    • Policies
    • Budgets
    • Economic Data
  • Business
    • Companies
    • Industry
    • Technology
  • Markets
    • Stocks/Equities
    • Forex
    • Rates & Bonds
    • Commodities
    • Cryptocurrencies
  • Travel & Tours
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Nature
    • Places & People
  • Opinion & Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Book Club
    • Investogist Business Saturday
    • Op-ed
  • Sports
    • Football
  • Vacancies

Copyright © 2025 investogist.com, All Rights Reserved