The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State Command, arrested 546 suspects for drug-related offenses between January and December 2024. The arrests, which included 449 males and 97 females aged between 12 and 80 years, were revealed during a press briefing in Ibadan by the NDLEA State Commander, Mr. Olayinka Joe-Fadile.
Key Arrests and Seizures
The suspects were apprehended for possession and trafficking of various narcotics, including:
- Cannabis sativa
- Tramadol
- Cocaine
- Pentazocine injections
- Cannabis-laced cakes
The NDLEA recorded 66 cases taken to court, with 46 convictions secured. The command also seized a total of 10,444.538kg of cannabis sativa and other psychotropic substances.
Destruction of Farmlands and Recovered Firearms
In its operations, the NDLEA destroyed 1.420093 hectares of cannabis farmland in Iyalode and Ogunmakin villages in Akinyele Local Government Area, resulting in the destruction of 3,550.2kg of cannabis.
Additionally, firearms recovered during the operations included:
- One pistol with two magazines
- A locally fabricated single-barrel gun
- 20 live cartridges
Rehabilitation and Public Sensitisation
The NDLEA also rehabilitated 18 individuals, reintegrating them into society, and provided counseling to 144 persons to combat drug dependency.
Looking Ahead
Commander Joe-Fadile emphasized the agency’s commitment to intensifying public sensitisation campaigns against drug trafficking and abuse. He commended Oyo State residents for their cooperation and called for continued support to ensure a drug-free, safer environment in 2025.
