Between January and December 2024, 546 people were detained by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) Oyo State Command on suspicion of engaging in illegal drug trafficking.
The NDLEA Commander in the state, Olayinka Joe-Fadile, made the announcement while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Ibadan on the successes recorded by the Command in the year under review.
Joe-Fadile said the suspects arrested comprised 449 males and 97 females who were between ages 12 and 80 years.
According to him, while some of the suspects were allegedly found in possession of narcotics, others were interdicted for dealing in cannabis sativa, tramadol, cake mixed with cannabis sativa, cocaine, and pentazocine injections, among others.
The commander further said a total of 66 cases were charged to court, while 46 convictions were secured by the command during the year under review.
Joe-Fadile said the command recorded a total seizure of 10,444.538 kg of Cannabis sativa and other psychotropic substances during the period under review.
“The command destroyed a total of 1.420093 hectares of cannabis sativa farmland at Iyalode and Ogunmakin villages in Akinyele LGA, which put the total cannabis destroyed to 3,550.2 kg.
“The command also recovered one pistol with two magazines, one locally fabricated single-barrel gun, and 20 live cartridges and other ammunition.
“The command rehabilitated 18 persons who were integrated back into society and counselled 144 persons during the period,” he said.
Joe-Fadile said that the command would continue to sensitise the public to dangers of illicit drug trafficking in order to make the state drug-free.
He applauded the people of the state for their support and solicited their continued cooperation to make the state better and crime-free.
Written By Matthew Atungwu