NDLEA nabs 280 drug suspects in Oyo within eight months

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State Command, has arrested no fewer than 280 suspects for alleged drug trafficking and abuse between January and August this year.

The State Commander, Olayinka Joe-Fadile, disclosed this in Ibadan on Friday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to him, the suspects comprised 246 males and 34 females, aged between 13 and 50 years. He further revealed that the command secured 43 convictions during the period under review.

Joe-Fadile explained that the suspects were arrested for possessing or dealing in substances such as cannabis sativa, tramadol, cocaine, “skuches”, diazepam, and pentazocine injection. He added that 38 cases were charged to court, with proceedings at various stages.

The command, he said, recorded seizures amounting to 1.2 tonnes of cannabis and other illicit substances. One of the suspects, caught with human parts, was handed over to the police for further investigation.

On rehabilitation, the commander noted that 19 clients were admitted for treatment, four of whom had been reintegrated into society, while 524 individuals received counselling.

He also highlighted that the command carried out its War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaign in 141 locations, including schools, marketplaces, churches, mosques, and media platforms across the state.

Joe-Fadile reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to public enlightenment on the dangers of drug trafficking and abuse, stressing that cooperation from residents remains vital in the collective fight for a drug-free Oyo State.