Kwara: According to an official, the NDLEA detained 929 people for drug offenses in a 12-month period

The Kwara command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reported that 929 individuals were arrested for drug-related offences between January and December 2024. State commander Fatima Popoola shared this information during a news conference on Monday at the NDLEA headquarters in Ilorin, the state capital.

Ms. Popoola revealed that those arrested included 839 males and 90 females. She detailed that the command conducted various activities to curb the supply and demand for illegal drugs, seizing a total of 2,642,103 kilograms over the year.

“The seized drugs include cannabis, tramadol, diazepam, methamphetamine, cough syrup laced with codeine, and cocaine/crack. Cannabis accounted for the largest portion, amounting to 1,455,529 kilograms, highlighting the urgent need for intervention to address the challenges of abuse and trafficking in cannabis. The removal of 1.5 tonnes of cannabis is a significant relief for parents and residents of the state; otherwise, the destructive effects could have been devastating,” she stated.

Ms. Popoola also noted that 185 drug users were apprehended and referred to the drug demand reduction unit for brief interventions and reintegration with their families. Additionally, 22 clients were admitted to the command’s rehabilitation facility, and another 17 non-residential clients received counseling while living at home.

The prosecution and legal service unit secured 133 convictions from the Federal High Court in Ilorin, involving 123 males and 10 females, with more cases still pending. Fourteen motor vehicles and 12 motorcycles used in drug crimes, along with seized money, were forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Ms. Popoola mentioned that, in collaboration with the state government, the command initiated drug integrity tests under the “Drug Testing Policy,” testing 261 new students at Kwara State University, Malete. “The vice-chancellor, dean of student affairs, and all tested students were negative for hard drugs. We appreciate the university for providing a supportive environment for the test. Other higher institutions should adopt similar policies to help Nigeria achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3: ‘Health and Wellbeing for All by 2030,'” she added.

However, she noted that the rehabilitation center, designed to accommodate 200 people for treatment and counseling of drug addicts, remains incomplete due to insufficient funds.