The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported a period of intensive enforcement in Osun State, resulting in the arrest of 225 individuals on drug-related charges between January and July. the agency’s state commander, mr. oluwarotimi adetula, provided statistics to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Osogbo, revealing that the arrests included 174 males and 51 females, with a total seizure of 654.4kg of various illicit drugs.
During this same seven-month period, the NDLEA’s efforts have extended to the judicial system, with 43 of the arrested suspects charged to court. Adetula further confirmed the successful prosecution of these cases, culminating in 22 convictions, demonstrating a firm commitment to combating drug trafficking and abuse in the state.
“Over 654.424kg narcotics comprising; 502.932kg Cannabis Sativa, 3.4kg Cocaine, 62.692kg psychotropic substance and 85.4kg Methamphetamine were also seized in the period under review.”
The agency also carried out 125 drug sensitisation and awareness programmes, with 116 drug users counselled and two rehabilitated.
“Two Cannabis Sativa farms/plantations were also destroyed during the months under review.”
Adetula, said the agency was working with the outline of the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) to tackle the scourge of drug abuse through supply and demand reduction strategy.
He said the drug supply reduction strategy targets those into drug cultivation, production and traffickers of illegal drug substances.
“The demand reduction strategy entails drug abuse prevention education in schools and public places, advocacy visits as well as treatment and rehabilitation of drug users,” he said.
The commander reiterated the commitment of NDLEA to make Osun uninhabitable to drug barons and traffickers, and urged residents to join the agency in its fight against drug abuse.
He also advised the youth to stay away from abusing any form of drugs
