Osun NDLEA arrests 315 suspects, seizes 4,776kg illicit drugs
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Osun State Command on Monday disclosed that the Command has arrested a total of 315suspects comprising of 36 females in connection with drug related offences in the last 12 months.
The State Command also seized the illicit drugs weighed 4,776.38644kg.
This was contained in a statement to Mark International Day Against Drug Abuse signed by the State Commander, Nnadi Chidi and made available to journalists in Osogbo, state capital.
Chidi said that the command also destroyed 3.3 hectares of cannabis farm at Owena in Oriade Local Government Area of the State.
He said the State Command will continue to sustain the supply control and demand suppression of drugs in collaboration with other stakeholders in the State.
According to him, “The Abuse of drugs and other unconventional substance of abuse has become significant threat to public health, security and economic development.
“Within the last commemoration of June 26 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 315suspects comprising 279 males and 36 females were arrested for drug related offences while the illicit drugs seized weighed 4,776.38644kg.
“The International Day Against Drug Abuse is marked on the 26th of June every year to strengthen action and cooperation in actualizing a world free of drug abuse.
“The 2023 theme is: “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.
“This year’s theme focuses on the need to be unbiased and not judgemental about drug users and dependent individuals so as to hasten their recovery and attain the goal of a drug free society.
“The society is thus charged to eschew stigmatization of drug users, discriminating against them discourages users from seeking help and making recovery difficult and a burden to the individual, family and society at large.
“Amid global strategy to curtail the menace of drug abuse, cases have remained on a rise in recent years. Consequences of drugs are fast becoming more threatening than anticipated especially among young people in Osun State.
“I will like to use this medium to thank the Executive Governor of Osun State, his Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke and other stakeholders in the State for their unflinching support in the War Against Drug Abuse,” the statement added.
