Tinubu’s Saint Lucia Visit Coincides with Major Drug Seizures on Island

President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Saint Lucia, presented by the Nigerian government as a diplomatic mission to strengthen ancestral ties, has coincided with a series of major drug busts on the island, raising questions about the timing and relevance of the trip.

On June 29, Saint Lucian authorities arrested a female customs officer and a civilian at the Vieux Fort Seaport during a targeted drug operation. This followed the seizure of nearly 200 kilograms of cocaine valued at over $3.8 million found on Dauphin Beach on May 28. Days later, cannabis resin and a revolver were discovered in separate raids, with some drugs hidden in imported food products.

As law enforcement operations intensified in Saint Lucia, President Tinubu attended receptions, ceremonial events, and cultural exchanges. Back home, where economic hardship, insecurity, and internal displacement persist, the trip has sparked widespread debate.

What is the President of Nigeria looking at in St Lucia? The GDP of St Lucia is about $2.4 billion, and the GDP of Ekiti State is $2.9 billion. To compare, the GDP of Togo is $9.1b, whilst Benin is $19b,” Kalu Aja, a seasoned economist, posted on X.

On the other hand, the presence of a foreign customs officer among the arrested has also raised concerns about the reliability of institutions involved in any potential bilateral partnerships. Questions have arisen about the usefulness of such diplomatic engagements when the partner country faces internal security threats.

Tinubu’s administration has defended the visit as part of its foreign policy priorities, which focus on diaspora engagement and international cooperation. However, with Nigeria and Saint Lucia facing serious internal challenges, the trip has come under increased scrutiny for failing to reflect the urgency of their domestic realities.

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