Nigeria’s Anti-Narcotic Agency Decries High Spate of Drug Trafficking in Oyo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has, on Tuesday, lamented the huge challenge of drug trafficking and abuse in Oyo State, especially among the youths.

The Agency also destroyed illicit drugs weighing 17,000 kilogrammes and worth over N1billion, in Ibadan, the state capital.

The NDLEA disclosed that the illicit drugs were seized between 2017 and 2021, while from January 1, 2022 till date, it has arrested a total of 153 suspects for drug offences, seized 815.88kg of illicit drugs and also secured 31 convictions so far.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.), noted that the large seizure by the Oyo State Command of the Agency indicated that there is drug use prevalence in the state. He called for cooperation between the Agency and concerned stakeholders in salvaging the situation.

Marwa, represented by the Secretary of the Agency, Bar. Shadrach Haruna, said the occasion was an open window for the public to have an insight into what the officers and men of the Agency are doing behind the scene.

He stated: “To be destroyed today is an illicit drug haul weighing approximately 16,799kg, comprising 16,473kg of cannabis sativa, 4g of cocaine and 326kg of psychotropic substances. The worth of these substances is well over one billion naira. What this large seizure by the Oyo State command of NDLEA tells us is that there is significant drug use prevalence in the state.

“We can hardly quantify the scale of the problem averted by preventing these substances from falling into the wrong hands. We know too well the kinds of problems that result from the abuse of illicit substances just as we are aware that some of the challenges facing our society are due, in part, to years of passivity towards matters of abuse and trafficking of illicit drugs,” Marwa explained.

He noted that besides the escalation of the usual crimes of robbery, there is widespread insecurity manifesting in the form of banditry, kidnapping and insurgency, among others, which have been disruptive to the socio-economic life of the country. He asserted that in all, there is no discounting the role of abuse of illicit substances as enabling factor.

Security of lives

Speaking at the event, Governor Seyi Makinde, who was represented by the Secretary to the the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, said the security of lives and property of the people of the state is a cardinal focus of his government. He reiterated his administration’s support for the activities of the Agency in the state.

He said: “Illicit drugs is definitely a menace in our society. If there is no market, the drugs will not be popular. We need to start realising that prevention is better than cure.

“Drug abuse is a menace to our youths. It’s a drain on them financially, psychologically, economically and even on their health. Many cases could actually lead to death,” Makinde stated.

Prosecution of suspects

Earlier in his welcome address, the Oyo State Commander of the Agency, Abdullahi Saeed, disclosed that a total of 358 suspects were arrested in connection with the drugs. He noted that the suspects were diligently prosecuted, while 203 out of them had been convicted and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.

“From the figures of arrest and seizures mentioned above, it is crystal clear that we have a huge drug challenge confronting us in the state and the country.

“This situation calls for a purposeful convergence on the drug issue with a view to stemming it out of existence from our society,” he stated.

Emmanuel Ukoh