NDLEA Osun Arrests 252 Suspects, Records 57 convictions in 2023

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Osun State Command arrested 252 suspects and seized 1,909.6920kg of illicit drugs in  Osun  State between January to December, 2023.

The State Commander, Nnadi Chidi, CN disclosed that 214 males and 38 females totalling 252 were arrested within the period.

The Command also secured  the convictions of 57 accused persons who were sentenced to various jail terms raging from 3 months to 5yrs imprisonment with 47 cases pending within the year under focus.

The State Commander added that within same period, the Drug supply reduction efforts led to the  discovery and destruction of 9.5 hectares of Cannabis Farms ( 23.759 tones) of cannabis sativa  at Ifedayo and Oriade Local Government Areas.

Balancing supply and demand reductions, the Command equally  embarked on  War Against Drug Abuse( WADA) advocacy on substance abuse suppression in the State. The Agency had a brief counseling intervention of 79 People Who Use Drug *PWUD* and also embarked on awareness/sensitization programs in  Religious houses,  Schools, Motor Parks,  Markets and Workplaces  etc.

The  State Commander refuted an earlier aspersion alluded to Osun State as the second highest cannabis producing State in the South West.

He stressed that though there was a slight increase in the use of ‘loud ” and other cannabis strains in the State, but  empirically and going by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) 2018 report, Osun State remain 5th in the prevalence of Drug Use and Cultivation in South West region.

 He advised those peddling such unfounded narrative to desist.

The State Commander used the medium to appreciate the Honorable Chairman  Chief Executive, His Excellency Gen Buba Marwa Rtd, OFR, CON for his uncommon initiative and unwavering doggedness on WADA which he has inspired on the Agency’s performance within the last few years. He also expressed his gratitude to the Executive Governor of Osun State, His Excellency Nurudeen Ademola Jackson Adeleke for his unalloyed and utter determination to rid the State of Substance Abuse. He however solicited the continuous assistance of the Governor in achieving the WADA objectives. He also appreciated all the stakeholders for their  commitment in WADA and assured the good people of Osun State of the Agency’s resolve to make Osun State uncomfortable for Cannabis Cultivators and Dealers.