Kwara state command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said that 929 people were arrested for hard drugs-related offences in the state in 2024.
Gatekeepers News reports that the state Commander, Fatima Popoola disclosed this during a news conference at the NDLEA headquarters in Ilorin on Monday.
The commander noted that that among those arrested included 839 males and 90 females.
Popoola said the command conducted a series of activities to suppress the supply and demand for hard drugs, and 2,642,103 kilograms were seized within the year in review.
She said, “The seized drugs includes cannabis, tramadol, diazepam, methamphetamine, cough syrup laced with codeine, and cocaine/crack.”
“Cannabis tops the list of seized drugs accounting to 1,455,529 kilograms, so the state is in dire need of intervention to solve the hydra–headed challenges of abuse and trafficking in cannabis.”
“The mop up of 1.5 tones of cannabis is a big saviour to parents and the good people of the state, if not, the destructive effects of the drugs could have been devastating.”
The commander noted that 185 hard drugs users were apprehended and referred to drug demand reduction unit for brief interventions, and were re-integrated with their families.
She added, “In addition to the intervention efforts, 22 clients were admitted in our rehabilitation facility with other 17 clients who are non-residential, coming from their homes for counselling.”
“The prosecution and legal service unit secured 133 convictions from the Federal High Court, Ilorin, which involved 123 males and 10 females, while more cases were charged but still pending.”
“14 motor vehicles and 12 motorcycles used by the suspects in drug crimes and monies seized were forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Popoola noted that the command in conjunction with the state government had also started drug integrity tests titled “Drug Testing Policy”, in which 261 fresh students of Kwara State University, Malete were tested.
She said, “The vice chancellor; dean of student affairs, and all the fresh students tested proved negative for hard drugs. Many thanks to the university for providing a favourable and suitable climate for the test.”
“Other institutions of higher learning need to emulate such a policy that will help Nigeria achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3: “Health and wellbeing for all by 2030.”
Popoola further said that the rehabilitation centre that could accommodate 200 people for treatment and counselling of drug addicts, had not been completed due to paucity of funds.
She said, “Also, the command needs official vehicles in all the eight stations for easy mobility, and funds for other necessary things in the office.”
