NDLEA Arrests 985 Suspected Drug Offenders in Kwara, Secures 68 Convictions
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested no fewer than 985 suspected drug offenders in Kwara State within the last one year, as authorities intensify efforts to curb drug trafficking and abuse across the state.
Kwara State Commander of the NDLEA, Hajia Fatima Popoola, disclosed this on Wednesday in Ilorin during activities marking the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
According to Popoola, the arrests were made between June 26, 2025, and June 26, 2026, while a total of 5,781.402 kilograms of illicit substances were seized during various operations across the state.
She added that 68 offenders were successfully prosecuted and convicted by the Federal High Court in Ilorin within the period under review.
Popoola attributed the high number of arrests to Kwara’s strategic location as a link between Northern and Southern Nigeria, noting that the Ogbomosho-Jebba Highway remains a major route for drug traffickers.
Among the major interceptions recorded by the command was the seizure of 600 blocks of cannabis weighing 304 kilograms concealed in a brand-new Toyota V8 Jeep bearing a Federal Government number plate at Jebba.
She also revealed that cannabis and its synthetic variants, including Loud and Colorado, accounted for the highest volume of seized drugs. Other substances recovered include tramadol, skunk, Molly, cough syrups, amphetamine-type stimulants, Rohypnol, Captagon and Tapentadol.
The commander further disclosed that NDLEA operatives arrested some university students in the state for producing cannabis-infused cakes and marketing them through online platforms, highlighting the increasing use of technology by drug traffickers.
Describing a recent seizure of Captagon along the Ogbomosho-Jebba corridor as a significant breakthrough, Popoola said intelligence reports linked the substance to terrorist activities.
On rehabilitation efforts, she said 29 drug-dependent persons were admitted into the agency’s treatment facility, while 28 were successfully discharged after undergoing rehabilitation. Another 213 drug users received counselling and brief intervention services.
Popoola appealed for additional operational vehicles and motorcycles to strengthen enforcement activities and called for support in the destruction of over five tonnes of seized drugs currently in NDLEA custody.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its support for the agency’s anti-drug campaign.
Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, described the volume of drugs intercepted in the state as alarming and urged residents to cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities.
She also called on media organisations to intensify public enlightenment campaigns against drug abuse, particularly among young people, stressing that government alone cannot win the fight.
Olukoju said the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq remains committed to policies aimed at protecting lives and reducing substance abuse, citing the state’s drug-testing programme for students and teachers as one of the measures already yielding positive results.
