Over 4,776.4 kilograms of illicit drugs have been impounded by the Osun State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA within a year.
Nigeriacrime.com learned that 315 suspects were also arrested in connection to the seizures.
Confirming the arrest and seizures, the State Commander of the agency, Nnadi Chidi, said:
”Within the last commemoration of Day against Drug Abuse on June 26, 2022, till date, Osun State Command took a giant leap in curtailing the scourge of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the State. A total of three hundred and fifteen -315- suspects comprising two hundred and seventy-nine -279- males and thirty-six -36- females were arrested for drug-related offences while the illicit drugs seized weighed 4,776.38644kg.
“The breakdown of the drug seizure are as follows: Cannabis sativa 4,735.033kg, Diazepam 7.909kg, Tramadol 4.896kg, Methamphetamine – 0.40956grms, Rophynol 0.413grms, Benazine160grms, Skushies 12.713kg, Molly 0.011grms, Codeine 1.8kg and Cocaine 47grms – totalling -4,776.38644kg
“Out of the 315 suspects arrested, seventy-five (75) were briefly counselled and reintegrated back to their families while seventy (70) suspects were successfully prosecuted and convicted.
“It is also worthy of note that within the period of review, 3.3 hectares of cannabis farm was destroyed at Owena Area, Oriade LGA of Osun State”, it reads in part.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu on Monday warned against the social and structural stigmatisation of drug use victims, which he said prevents them from accessing needed care and support.
Speaking on the occasion of the celebration of the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Tinubu expressed his endorsement of the theme of the celebration which is “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.”
He said the theme stresses the imperative to prioritize the well-being and dignity of individuals affected by drug abuse, recognizing their inherent worth and the importance of providing them with effective prevention and treatment interventions.
According to Tinubu, “We could not agree less with the importance of this theme now that the most vulnerable population, especially women, young people, people living in marginalized environments, high-risk drug users, people displaced by armed conflicts or natural disasters and people in rural settings, are exposed to stigma, discrimination and exclusion from mainstream opportunities.
“These groups often face barriers in accessing the healthcare and social services within the society in addressing their drug use problems. Therefore, interventions to address drug use and its associated consequences need to be mindful of the fundamental rights of every individual.
“Stigma both social and structural continues to affect people who use drugs and is one of the most common barriers to access support and services must be removed.”
The president noted that educating the citizenry on the dangers of drug abuse and the need to stop stigma and discrimination is crucial, calling for support for those affected.