I have observed that these days, new slangs drop every other week, and if you blink, you’ll miss the latest one. One moment it’s “No wahala,” next it’s “Shey you dey whine me ni?” And now? It’s 542. So… what exactly is 542?
Spoiler Alert: It’s Not a Trend. It’s a Trap
Before your mind runs wild, the no 542 isn’t a new MTN plan. It’s not a TikTok challenge. And definitely not a new track from Wizkid.
542 is a street code for Rohypnol.
Yeah. You see that little pill, that the pill that’s nearly ten times stronger than Valium. You may know it by its nickname “the forget pill,” “roach,” or “roofies.” But in some corners of Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, it now goes by the name 542, and it’s creeping into the lives of kids as young as 12 years old.
A Sad Story: When a Code Turns to Crisis
Take Akin for example. A 14-year-old SS1 student in Lagos. He used to have a friend who moved from his village recently. He was a bright kid. But Lagos has a way of swallowing the wrong crowd, and soon enough, the boy was rolling with the guys in the Saga area.
As soon as Akin’s friend was initiated into the ritual of taking the 542. “They said his heart and kidneys stopped working well,” Akin explained. “They rushed him to the hospital.”
Now, nobody knows where the boy is. Some say he’s been taken back to his village secretly. He went from being “a fine guy” to “looking like rubbish.” Akin hasn’t seen him since, and deep down, he’s scared his friend might not be alive.
The Bigger Picture: 542 Isn’t Just One Story
What happened to Akin’s friend isn’t an isolated case. All over Lagos and across Nigeria, young boys are falling into the same trap of this new culture. They’re popping 542 like it’s sweet. But the end is far from sweet. It’s bitter. Dark. Dangerous.
While some started out of curiosity, others joined because of pressure or to feel among. Before they know it, they’re addicted, ill, or worse — gone.
Fighting Back: Awareness Is the First Step
Thankfully, not everybody is staying silent about it. The MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) is already on the move, with their team of experts visiting schools across Lagos, sitting with students, and talking with them about staying off 542.
They’re helping young people to learn the truth about these bad substances, educating them on what they are, how they destroy people, and how they will firmly say no. Because, as it is right now, it’s not just about saving one child. It’s about protecting an entire generation.
Amechi Stella from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), answering questions from students during an MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) session in Secondary and Primary schools in Lagos
Final Thoughts
The code 542 may sound like a slang, but it’s actually a silent killer. I want to appeal to all Parents, teachers, community leaders, and the likes to stay alert. Let’s keep our eyes open and our hearts ready to guide. Because every time we stay silent, the streets stay louder.
Source: Linda Ikeji Blog
