Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA )says the Oyo State Command has arrested no fewer than 72 suspects in three months.
The suspects, comprising 52 males and 20 females, whose age range falls between 17 and 60years, were arrested in connection with various drug offences.
The Command spokesperson, Okuwobi Mutiat, a Chief Superintendent of Narcotics, disclosed, in a statement, that some of the drug offences committed include dealing in cannabis sativa, cocaine, tramadol, diazepam, rohypnol, colorado, codeine, amphetamine, skoochies and cake mixed with cannabis.
According to Mutiat, the Command recorded a total seizure of 502.076kg of cannabis sativa as well as other narcotic and psychotropic substances during the period under review.
“The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Oyo State Command, under the leadership of Abdullah Saeed, arrested 72 suspects comprising 52 males and 20 females within the age range of 17-60 years for various drug offences which include dealing in cannabis sativa, cocaine, tramadol, diazepam, rohypnol, colorado, codeine, amphetamine, skoochies and cake mixed with cannabis, within the third quarter of the year 2022 (July – September 2022).
“The Command recorded total seizure of 502.076kg of cannabis sativa and other narcotic and psychotropic substances during the period under review.
“Non-drug exhibit include one locally fabricated pistol with one cartridge and four rounds of 9mm live ammunition were recovered,“ the statement read in part
Additionally, the Command said, within the same period, a total of 3.851 acres of cannabis sativa farmland located at Oluwo Village, Ido Local Government Area of the state, was destroyed in September 2022.
“Equally, within same period, 17 suspects were charged to court, 13 suspects were convicted for various drug offences with jail terms ranging from six months to four years imprisonment.
“The Command gave brief intervention in terms of counselling to 38 People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) made up of 30 males and eight females.
“We presently have six clients undergoing residential rehabilitation. They will be reintegrated into the society after successful completion of their rehabilitation.”
Mutiat stated that the Command had some weekly radio and television programmes during the period, and also extended some sensitisation programmes to over 206 schools and some private organisations, urging schools and other organisations to give the officers of the NDLEA some platform through which enlightenment of students and workers within the state could be done.
“The State Commander, Abdullahi Saeed (Commander of Narcotics), advised the public to compliment the effort of the NDLEA as we cannot afford to sit by and pretend that all is well when our youths are being hooked to drugs and their future being destroyed. It is our collective responsibility to make our land drug free. Join us in making Oyo State drug-free.”
PIAK
