Transportation

FRSC Cautions Road Users against Recklessness

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Road users have been cautioned against the use of unsafe tyres, taking alcoholic drinks and overloading to put an end to wanton loss of lives on the nation’s roads.

Oyo State Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Mr Joshua Adekanye stated this at the flag off of ember months campaign held at Ajimobi Park, New Garage Ibadan.

Mr AdeKanye lamented that carnage on the road would have reduced drastically if users could adhere strictly to rules guiding driving.

In a message to the event, Governor Seyi  Makinde advised motorists, especially commercial drivers not to flout driving rules in the quest for financial gains.

The Secretary, Oyo State Park Management System, Mr Tomiwa Omolewa urged the government at all levels to make the nation’s roads safe.

Dignitaries at the event included the representative of Olubadan of Ibadan land, Nigerian Customs, Immigration, Police, Civil Defence and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The theme of this year’s campaign is “Avoiding speeding, overloading and unsafe tyres to arrive alive”

Abisola Oluremi

Crime

NDLEA Intercepts N4.5b Heroin in Baby Food

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted 22 blocks of heroin weighing 23.55kilograms concealed in packs of Nestle Cerelac baby food at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos.

The consignment according to a statement by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi with a street value of over N4.5billion came from Johannesburg, South Africa on board South African Airways flight on Wednesday 29th June as part of a consolidated cargo that arrived at the SAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport.

After a series of follow-up operations that led to the arrest of two freight agents, the actual receiver of the drug consignment, Chike Okeke Eweni who distributes the substance for his South Africa-based partner was arrested the following day, Thursday 30th June at a logistics warehouse in Ajao Estate, Ikeja.

He explained that the suspected trafficker before the arrest, NDLEA officers at the airport had on Monday 27th June arrested a former driver with a public transport company, BRT, Muyiwa Babalola Bolujoko for ingesting 90 pellets of cocaine.

He was arrested at the screening point before boarding a Qatar Airways flight en route from Doha to Sharjah, with his trip expected to terminate in Dubai, UAE.

The 39-year-old suspect was placed under excretion observation after body scan result confirmed drug ingestion. While in custody, the suspect excreted all the 90 pellets in four excretions.

“He claimed he left his N60, 000 per month job as BRT driver in February and decided to work as a drug courier to raise funds to buy a shuttle bus popularly called ‘Korope’ in Lagos to continue his transport business”.

Giving a further breakdown of arrests, the NDLEA spokesman said, Operatives also on Thursday 30th June intercepted an inbound consignment of khat leaves, which arrived the NAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport on a Royal Air Maroc flight from the Middle East.

“A total of 71 cartons of dried khat leaves with a gross weight of 2,434.3 kg were discovered in the cargo”.

In the same vein, anti-narcotic officers of the Agency also seized 36 parcels of Colorado, a variant of cannabis with a total weight of 19.30kg which arrived the NAHCO import shed from Los Angeles, US on a Delta Airlines flight.

“After a series of follow-up operations in which four persons were arrested, the actual owner of the drug consignment, Abibu Afis Sola was eventually nabbed on Friday 1st July in Gbagada area of Lagos”.

Nosa Aituamen / Omotola Oguneye

Security

OYRTMA, NDLEA Collaborate to Tackle Drug Abuse

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Parents and guardians have been admonished to closely monitor their children and wards in order to curb the prevalence of drug abuse in society.

The Oyo State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mr Abdullahi Saeed, gave the admonition when he paid a courtesy visit to the chairman of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency, OYRTMA, Mr Akin Fagbemi in his office at the Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.

Mr Abdullahi urged OYRTMA to always alert the NDLEA whenever it apprehends accident vehicles that conveyed unlawful drug consignment in order to checkmate drug peddlers in the society.

Responding, OYRTMA boss, Mr Akin Fagbemi promised that the agency would intensify efforts at ensuring that drug traffickers and other related vices are gotten rid of in the state.

Mr Fagbemi stated that the collaboration between the law enforcement agency and OYRTMA would bring about more positive developments in the state.

The OYRTMA boss was given an ambassadorial award for his support to the NDLEA in the fight against drug abuse.

Iyabo Adebisi

Crime

Checking Growing Use of Hard Drugs among Teenagers

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The upsurge in the use of hard drugs remains a source of concern globally because of its effect on users, their families and loved ones.

In this report, Labizat Oduntan looks at the growing use of hard drugs among teenagers in the country.

Last year, a video went viral showing a young man drenched by dirty water as he rolled about in drainage.

It was the outcome of taking a hard drug with the street name “Colorado”.

Other illicit substances and drugs in common use include cocaine, heroin, cannabis, tramadol, codeine and diazepam.

A 2021 report by Statista indicates that over 270 million people engage in substance abuse globally.

In Nigeria, a study reveals that a lot of commercial bus drivers, farmers, sex workers, secondary school students who are obviously in their teens and undergraduates are on hard drugs.

A 2021 statistic by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, buttresses the study, showing that forty per cent of youths within the age range of 18 and 25 years are deeply involved in the abuse of drugs.

Ready sources include drug markets, hawkers, fellow drug abusers, friends and drug pushers.

Two youths in Ibadan expressed their views on the use of drugs among their peers.

“Such youths became disoriented such that at that period he/she may not know who they are, it is not a necessary thing to take hard drugs because it will not solve the problem.”

While another youth recounted the experience of a friend who got entangled in the web of illicit substances. 

“I am citing an example of a friend of mine who was under the influence of codeine. He wasn’t about to enjoy himself for like 40-45mins. He was so unconscious and started acting strange.”

A medical doctor, Olanrewaju Shomoye who said illicit substances use was prevalent among young people, highlights their injurious effects and equally outlined other impacts besides mental and bodily harm.

“It affects the way one thinks, feels and behave generally, also affects the way other people the abuser, sometimes they become depressed.”

“It affects their finances. They are not able to keep money, they spend too much money especially people on crack cocaine. They will need to do a lot of things to get money. Sometimes they go into stealing sometimes they go into robbery.”

Dr Shomoye pointed out that medical lifelines such as psycho-social methods exist for people who fall prey to hard drugs.

Labizat Oduntan

Crime

NDLEA Destroys Over 24 Tonnes of Illegal Substances in Osun

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Osun State has destroyed illicit drugs weighing 24.486 tonnes.

The Osun NDLEA Commander, Mr Yomade Ogunbiyi, told newsmen that various types of drugs including 24, 349, 024 kg of cannabis Sativa and 136,471kg of other psychotropic substances were seized and destroyed.

Mr Ogunbiyi explained that the destroyed drugs were exhibits from the court order of 2020, adding that since then, they have made huge seizures.

Describing Osun State as one of the cannabis-producing states in Nigeria, the NDLEA commander said a lot of cannabis farms were destroyed in years past, saying the agency continues to intensify efforts to ensure that the culture of cannabis production is totally eradicated in the state.

While urging the people of the state on the need to join hands with the agency in its bid to tackle drug abuse, the Osun State commander of NDLEA hinted that the agency will soon launch its own War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), a national program launched by the president during the June 26, 2021 celebration.

Earlier, in his address, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired) commended the state command of NDLEA for work well done, saying the magnitude of drugs coming out of the farmlands was not a thing of joy.

Represented by the NDLEA Director Operations and General Investigation, Mr. Adeyemi Adeofe, General Marwa said the burning of over 24 thousand tons of various types of exhibits become necessary as its part of the efforts to reduce the crime rate in the society.

“If we have not seized and destroyed them now, they would have been taken to the society and some people would have consumed it and when they consume it, it would have a lot of negative effects in their central nervous system and their health”.

Adenitan Akinola

Health

Oyo Government Parleys NDLEA In Fight Against Illicit Drugs

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The Oyo state government in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is set to clamp down on consumers and sellers of illicit drugs to rid the state of criminals.

        The chairman, Oyo state drug Abuse and Control Committee,  Pharmacist Lukman Akinwande stated this in Ibadan at a media briefing held at the government Secretariat, Ibadan.

    The chairman, explained that consumers and sellers of illicit drugs would not be tolerated so as to end criminality.

     Mr Akinwande further called on religious bodies, NGOs, teachers, parents and political office holders to come up with more sensitization programmes to as to curb the menace.

      The Oyo state commander, National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency, NDLEA ,Josephine obi  cautioned people to be careful of what they eat especially at public functions so as not fall victim of wrong drug.

     Represented by her assistant in the agency,  Mr Anthony Gotar, noted that some people stuff narcotics and dangerous drugs inside  snacks and drinks especially at public events.

     In a speech, the Oyo state commissioner for health, Dr Bashir Bello who  identified poverty and unemployment as factors contributing to drug abuse and illicit trafficking explained that government is already taking step to reduce the menace through provision of free education and employment for the youths.

     The chairman, pharmaceutical society of Nigeria, Oyo state branch, Mr Sam Obitoye called establishment of task force to enforce existing laws on drug abuse.

       Mr Obitoye who lamented that there had been increase in reported psychiatric cases urged government to expidite action at curbing the menace.

       Contributing, The permanent secretary, Ministry of health, Doctor Muftau Ayoola represented by a Director in the ministry, Wole Lawal called for collaboration of everyone at fighting drug abuse and  illicit  trafficking.

      Responding, the Oyo state  commissioner for health, Doctor Bashir Bello called for more enlightenment on drug abuse by NGOs, Religious bodies, parents and educational institutions to discourage drug abuse.

     In a good will message the special assistant to the Oyo state government on youth and sports, Kazeem Bolarinwa advised the youths to shun any act that could tarnish their image.

        Abisola Oluremi

Crime

Marwa Visits Soun, Wants Traditional Rulers Help over Drug Abuse

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National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has tasked traditional rulers to set up drug control committees at their localities to check the problem of drug abuse.

Chairman of the agency, General Buba Marwa (Rtd) made the call during a visit to Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewunmi

General Marwa, who put statistics of prevalence of drug abuse in the South west Nigeria at twenty-two point four percent, said Oyo state constituted  twenty three percent of the figure.

He said involvement of traditional rulers would make the campaign against drug abuse effective at the grassroots.

The NDLEA boss, who also inaugurated a behavioral centre in Ogbomoso, explained that drug abuse was part of factors responsible for crimes in the society

He noted that the agency was doing all within its power to check the menace.

In a remark, Soun Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewunmi explained that problems of drug abuse should be tackled from homes, and urged youths to make good use of their lives rather than engaging in drug abuse.

The monarch gave assurance that drug abuse would not be tolerated in Ogbomoso land.

Adedayo Adelowo

Politics

INEC Seeks Stakeholders’ Support For Ekiti East Bye-Election

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The Independent National Electoral Commission in Ekiti State has called for the cooperation of all stakeholders who will be involved in the Ekiti East Constituency One State Assembly bye-election scheduled for March 20.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Adeniran Tella made the call today at a meeting with the leadership of security agencies and other stakeholders in Ado-Ekiti.

Dr Tella who pledged a level playing ground for all political parties, appealed to them to conduct violence free primaries so as to present credible candidates for the poll.

On her part, NYSC state coordinator, Mrs Chikezie Nnenna promised to sensitize the corps members who would be used as ad-hoc staff to adhere to the rules guiding the bye-election while the state chairman of IPAC, Mr Ifedayo Iyaniwura expressed the association’s support for the exercise.

In their brief remarks, the state commissioner of police, Mr Tunde Mobayo and the Director of State Security Service, Mr Musa Halilu promised to ensure adequate protection of lives and prosperity before, during and after the bye election.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, had representatives at the meeting while the Ekiti State Director of National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr Fadahunsi Bankole was present.

Amos Ogunrinde

Crime

NDLEA Seizes 1.5 Tonnes Of Cannabis In Ondo State

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Ondo State Command, has arrested nine dealers of illicit drugs and seized 1,292 kilograms of cannabis sativa and its seeds from them.

Addressing newsmen in Akure, the Ondo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr Haruna Gagara disclosed that 711.5 kilograms of cannabis seeds were recovered from a forest in Ago Oyibo area of Ogbese, Akure North Local Government Area.

Mr Gagara pointed out that the seizure has prevented the mass cultivation of an estimated 250 hectares of cannabis sativa farmland in the state.

He explained that his operatives had earlier intercepted a vehicle loaded with 580.5 kilograms of the illicit drug along Ogbese-Owo road.

Some of the suspects arrested claimed they were unaware of the existence of the seeds of Cannabis Sativa seized from their house.

Kayode Animasaun

Crime

Man Bags One Year Jail Term Over Possession of 4.7 Kilos of Indian Hemp

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A 32-year-old man, Babarinde Muritala, has been sentenced to one year imprisonment by a Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State, for being in possession of 4.7kg Indian hemp. 

Muritala was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on a one count of unlawful possession of cannabis. 

The convict had told the court during trial that he usually smoke hemp gain strength but that the two bags attributed to him by NDLEA did not belong to him. 

The prosecutor, Mr Ogaga Azuigo, told the court that the defendant was arrested at Akinlalu Village, Modakeke, Osun State. 

He called three witnesses who are officials of the NDLEA and the convict was allowed to defend himself. 

Justice Peter Lifu held that a wrap of Indian hemp which the convict admitted that he was smoking when they arrested him, was enough to believe that Indian hemp was found in his possession. 

The judge convicted him accordingly saying possession has been established and the convict did not deny it. 

However, Mr. D. D. Adegbola, urged the court to be merciful with the convict and discharge him.

The presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu thereby sentenced Muritala to one-year imprisonment starting from the date of arraignment in February 2019.

Adenitan Akinola

Crime

We arrested 37 drug dealers in the last quarter – Oyo NDLEA Boss

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National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says it has arrested thirty-seven suspected drug dealers in Oyo State in the 3rd quarter of this year.

This is contained in a statement in Ibadan signs in Ibadan by the NDLEA Public Relations Officer, PRO, Mrs Mutiat Okuwobi.

The statement notes that the suspects were arrested various drugs which include Cannabis Sativa, Tramadol, Diazepam, Rohypnol, Colorado, Codeine and other psychotropic substances.

The command also recorded the seizure of over three thousand kilograms of Cannabis Sativa and other narcotics and psychotropic substances during the period under review. 

NDLEA Commander in Oyo State, Mrs Josephine Obi says the command had begun investigation on the seizure of a lorry load of compressed cannabis weighing 2060.7kg transferred by the Nigeria Custom Services, Oyo/Osun Command.

The Oyo NDLEA boss states further that two Cannabis sativa farms measuring 0.215380 hectares and 0.06400 hectares were also destroyed at Ajani Village in Ona-Ara Local Government Area of the state.

Mrs Obi notes that the command also gave brief intervention via counseling to forty-nine drugs users and rehabilitated six persons who were integrated back to the society.

She said recovery of cannabis-infused foods and beverages is of great concern and calls for greater vigilance by parents and guardians to prevent their children and wards from becoming drug dependent.

The Oyo State NDLEA Commander, therefore, advises the general public to be watchful and give necessary and timely information in order to rid the state of illicit drug abuse and trafficking.

Rasheedah Makinde

Security

Spike in Crime Rate Linked to Drug Abuse – Oyo NDLEA

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The high intake of narcotics and other psychotropic substances has been listed as the major factor responsible for the increased rate of criminality in society.

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA Commander in Oyo state, Mrs Josephine Obi stated this while celebrating this year’s International Day against Drug and Trafficking at the Secretariat, Ibadan.

Mrs Obi noted that though, the command was working effectively against drug abuse and trafficking but the support of community tradition and religious leaders would go a long way in eradicating the act.

Mrs Obi added that NDLEA had embarked on series of campaigns through media and visits to schools, markets and rural areas to bring home the message about the negative effects of drugs on individual and the nation at large.

Corroborating this, Commissioner for Health in Oyo state, Dr Bashir Bello said with the Covid-19 pandemic, the wrong usage or overdose of drugs may trigger severe conditions on people’s health.

Dr Bello noted that the state government had partnered different stakeholders to ensure that the issue of drug abuse, especially among youths, became a thing of the past.

The health commissioner therefore called on parents and guardians to always monitor the movements of their wards and kids to support the government in the fight against drug abuse.

Rasheedah Makinde

Crime

NYSC, EFFC Collaborate to Fight Corruption

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The Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has joined other zonal offices of the commission across the nation to engage Nigerian youths in its campaign against corruption.

Our staff reporter reports that a walk against corruption, involving over five hundred members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC and staffers of the EFCC was held in Ibadan this morning.

The walk tagged “Nigerian Youths Walk Against Corruption” and “Nigerian Youths Say No To Corruption” started from the EFCC Zonal Office at Iyaganku Quarters through Dugbe-Oke-Bola and back to the zonal office.

Speaking with journalists, Oyo State Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mrs. Josephine Obi said it was imperative to engage youths in the fight against corruption because most crimes, especially internet fraud were perpetrated by youths.

Similarly, the Acting Head, EFCC Ibadan Zonal Office, Mr. Igeleke Bright noted that the youths were leaders of tomorrow, hence the need to make them ambassadors of the anti-corruption campaign.

NYSC Oyo State Coordinator, Mrs. Eniola Anbekebo said the NYSC would continue to collaborate with EFCC and other relevant agencies to reduce corrupt practices to the barest minimum.

Oluwakayode Banjo

Health

Drug Abuse: Oyo Pledges Support to NDLEA

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In an effort to reduce drug abuse and trafficking, Oyo State government has pledged to support the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to curb the menace of illicit drug use and peddling.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun gave the pledge when a delegation from NDLEA paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

Dr. Olatunbosun noted that the agency had done well at enlightening citizens on dangers inherent in indiscriminate use of drugs which often led to high rate of mental disorder and broken homes.

The commissioner added that the state government would give necessary backings to anti-drug abuse campaigns of the federal agency through the use of the available media platforms in the state.

The leader of the team, Mrs. Josephine Obi solicited the support of the ministry in the area of publicity of its activities and programmes to reduce the scourge and menace of drug trafficking and abuse.

Mrs. Obi commended the state government for its resolve to reduce poverty and youths’ unrest by paying special attention to agriculture and other welfare programmes, especially in education, which has kept many youths out of the streets and reduce illicit drug peddlers.

Adewumi Faniran