NDLEA laments huge challenge of drug trafficking in Oyo

…as agency destroys over N1b worth of illicit drugs

From Ogundele Olanrewaju

The National Drug Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Tuesday, lamented the huge challenge of drug trafficking and abuse in Oyo State, just as the agency destroyed illicit drugs worth over N1 billion weighing 17,000 kilograms in Ibadan.

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

Speaking at the event, Chairman, NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.) said the large seizure by the state command of the agency indicated that there is drug use prevalence in the state, calling 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 open window for the public to have an insight into what the officers and men of the agency are doing behind the scene.

He said: “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 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 to in part to years of passivity towards matters of abuse and trafficking of illicit drugs.”

“Besides the escalation of the usual crimes of robbery, we have seen widespread insecurity manifesting in the form of banditry, kidnapping and insurgency to mention but a few, which have been disruptive to the socio-economic life of the country. In all of these, there is no discounting the role of abuse of illicit substances as enabling factor,” Marwa posited.

In his address, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, who was represented by the Secretary to the the State Government, Mrs. Bamiwo Adeosun, said the security of lives and property of 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.

“Illicit drugs is definitely a menace in our society. If there is no market, the drugs will not be popular. We need start realise 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,” he stressed.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the Oyo State commander of the agency, Abdullahi Saeed, disclosed that a total of 358 suspects were arrested in connection with the drugs, noting that they 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.