Abdullahi Saeed, the NDLEA’s Oyo State Commander, revealed on Friday that the agency’s command had detained 159 alleged drug traffickers and criminals in the state since January of this year.
On the 2022 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Saeed gave this clue to reporters in Ibadan and said that the command had seized a total of 824.93kg of illegal substances.
The NDLEA Commander stressed that within the same period, the command has prosecuted no fewer than 23 drug offenders
“From January 2022 to date, Oyo State Command of NDLEA conducted various raids in the city of Ibadan, towns and villages within the state and patrolled both day and night along Lagos-Ibadan highway, Ibadan-Ife Expressway as well as other busy roads within the state”, Saeed said
The NDLEA Commander added, ” these raids and patrols resulted in the arrest of a total of 159 suspects and a total seizure of 824.93kg illicit drugs comprising cannabis sativa, cocaine, “skoochies”, amphetamine, tramadol and other psychotropic substances”.
“It is pertinent to state here that we are witnessing a new abusive substance in the state which is called “skoochies”. Skoochies is a mixture of variety of drugs prepared to give high effect of on the users”.
He pointed out that ” it is usually cannabis, tramadol and hot drinks mixed and soaked together in water from which shots are taken”
Speaking further, the Commander disclosed that the command also succeeded in giving brief intervention to 65 drug users and rehabilitated four clients who were reintegrated into their families.
He however tasked all stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to avail the agency of their support to rid the state of illicit drug use and trafficking, saying” let me state at this juncture that although we made some steady, success in the area of arrests, seizures, and sensitisation, the command has been facing some challenges in the area of vehicles for operation, standard cell for detainees, exhibit storing facility, and standard counseling and rehabilitation facilities”.
“The agency needs funds with which to carry out operations and activities. These challenges have been slowing down our operations. Often times we had to suspend operations for two to three weeks so as to allow the cells to be decongested before bringing in new suspects”.
Emphasizing that despite the challenges facing the agency in the discharge of its mandate, it would not relent in its commitment to ensure a drug- free society.
“I want to seize this opportunity to sound a note of warning to those who deal in illicit drugs to give up to the business as we are determined more than ever before to go after them, seize their drugs and prosecute them accordingly. By the grace of God, we shall do everything possible to achieve our mandate,”
