The Kwara Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 929 individuals for drug-related offences between January and December 2024.
This was disclosed by the state Commander, Mrs. Fatima Popoola, during a press conference held on Monday at the NDLEA headquarters in Ilorin.
According to Popoola, the arrests comprised 839 males and 90 females. She further revealed that the agency seized 2,642,103 kilograms of various illicit drugs during the year.
“The seized drugs include cannabis, tramadol, diazepam, methamphetamine, cough syrup laced with codeine, and cocaine/crack,” she said.
She noted that cannabis accounted for the largest quantity, with 1,455,529 kilograms confiscated, underscoring the state’s critical need for intervention to combat cannabis abuse and trafficking.
“The mop-up of 1.5 tonnes of cannabis is a big saviour to parents and the good people of the state. Without this, the destructive effects could have been devastating,” Popoola added.
Rehabilitation and Prosecution Efforts
Popoola highlighted the agency’s focus on rehabilitation and reintegration, stating that 185 drug users were apprehended and referred to the Drug Demand Reduction Unit for brief interventions, after which they were reunited with their families.
“In addition, 22 clients were admitted to our rehabilitation facility, while 17 non-residential clients received counselling from their homes,” she noted.
The prosecution unit secured 133 convictions from the Federal High Court in Ilorin, involving 123 males and 10 females. Several other cases are still pending.
She added that 14 motor vehicles, 12 motorcycles, and monies used in drug crimes were forfeited to the Federal Government.
Drug Integrity Testing in Higher Institutions
The NDLEA, in collaboration with the Kwara State Government, initiated a drug integrity test program under the “Drug Testing Policy.” Popoola disclosed that 261 fresh students of Kwara State University, Malete, were tested, with all results returning negative.
“The vice chancellor, dean of student affairs, and all the fresh students tested proved negative for hard drugs.
Other institutions of higher learning should emulate such a policy to help Nigeria achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3: Health and Well-being for All by 2030,” Popoola said.
Challenges
Popoola also lamented the incomplete rehabilitation center in the state, which was designed to accommodate 200 individuals for treatment and counselling. She attributed the delay to insufficient funding.
The NDLEA pledged to continue its efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in Kwara State while calling for more support from stakeholders to address the growing menace.
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