*The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Ibadan Command says it seized 4,739.195 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa, otherwise known as Indian Hemp, and other illicit substances in 2020

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

For various drug-related offences, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State Command, in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Friday, January 1, 2021, said it arrested 133 suspects for drug crimes in the past year.

This is a sharp decrease compared with the 201 arrests made in year 2019, even as there was a 28 percent increase from the 3,703.58 kilogrammes seized in 2019 in the year under review.

Mrs. Mutiat Okuwobi, Public Relations Officer (PRO) NDLEA in the Command, this in a statement to journalists in Ibadan.

The statement indicated that 44 convictions were recorded during the year, and the convicts are currently serving various jail terms ranging from six months to 10 years.

It read that the Command also seized 4,739.195 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa, otherwise known as Indian Hemp, and other illicit substances during the period under review.

A total of 51 people are undergoing counselling while the command destroyed two marijuana farms at Ajani village in Ona-Ara and Oluyole Local Government Areas of the state.

“There is hope for people who use drugs so parents and loved ones should never give up on them. Stakeholders must work together to get useful information on drug abuse to win the fight against trafficking in our communities.

“The NDLEA command appreciates the support from the state government and other stakeholders during the year,” said the statement.