Women’s involvement in tramadol, other illicit drugs alarming, says NDLEA

* We’ve sensitised about 8,895 persons on dangers of drug abuse in 6 months ─Kwara Drug Control Committee

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised serious concerns over the increasing rate of involvement of women in the sale of tramadol and other prohibited drugs in Kwara State.

According to the regulatory agency, in 2020 alone, it has arrested no fewer than 19 persons in connection with the sale of illicit drugs in the state, saying 49 of the suspects were women.

Ambrose Umoru, NDLEA State Commander at the weekend disclosed this to reporters in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, prior to this year’s United Nations international day against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

It was gathered that some of the females were arrested in their provision stores and some others in their homes which they have turned into hideouts for sale of illegal drugs.

Umoru said: “It is shocking that more women are getting involved in the sale of tramadol and codeine cough syrup.

“In coordinated operations carried out across the state from June last year to date, the Command recorded total seizures of 5,880.94 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs; 380 suspects (304 males and 76 females) were arrested.

“A total of 138 persons that use drugs were counselled and re-integrated with their families. The Command recorded eight convictions and 18 cases are pending in court.

The Kwara State NDLEA Commander stated that operation activities by the state have unravelled an overwhelming desire to make money through the sales of proscribed tramadol tablets and cough syrup with codeine.

“Several arrests have been made not only in chemist shops but in provision and food item shops,” he said.

Mrs. Barakat Olarewaju, Chairperson, Kwara State Drug Control Committee, on the occasion said that between last quarter of 2019 and first quarter of this year, the Committee had sensitised no fewer than 8,895 persons on the dangers inherent in drug abuse and sale of illicit drug.

The committee likewise, carried out “advocacy programme to 12 traditional rulers in the state to enlist their support in the fight against the drug abuse epidemic,” said Olarewaju.