The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ogun State Command, has arrested 306 suspects and prosecuted 64 for various drug-related offences between January and May 2026.

The suspects comprise 272 males and 34 females.

The State Commander, Tijjani Rabe, disclosed this during a press briefing to commemorate the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, themed: “The World Drug Problem: Persistent Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.”

Rabe said that among those arrested, 140 suspects comprising 136 males and four females were counselled. He added that the command seized 2,518.16 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, 86.74 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, cocaine and tramadol, 44.90 litres of codeine, as well as 171.50 litres of skuchies and monkey tail.

He disclosed that in 2025, the command arrested 771 suspects, comprising 650 males and 121 females. Of the figure, 318 suspects (303 males and 15 females) received counselling, while 159 persons (141 males and 18 females) were convicted.

According to him, the command’s sensitisation campaigns reached at least 60,100 people in 2025, while 53,269 people were reached during the first five months of 2026.

Rabe expressed concern that the continued circulation of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances remained a major challenge in the state.

He also revealed that a mega clandestine methamphetamine laboratory allegedly operated by Mexican nationals, recently discovered in the state, had been dismantled.

Earlier, the wife of the Ogun State Governor and Matron of the State Drug Control Committee, Bamidele Abiodun, urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children and wards to prevent them from engaging in drug abuse.

Represented by the Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Drug and Health Commodities Management Agency (OGDHMA), Funke Oyeneye, she reaffirmed her office’s commitment to collaborating with the NDLEA in the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.

MEANWHILE, Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking across the state.

The governor stated this during the 2026 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking held at the auditorium of the Sultan Maccido Institute for Qur’an and General Studies, Sokoto.

Aliyu described drug abuse as one of the most serious challenges confronting society, noting that it destroys families, robs young people of their potential, fuels criminal activities and poses serious health and social risks.

He also expressed concern over the growing threat of illicit drug trafficking, which he said fuels organised crime and undermines national and international security.

The governor stressed that the fight against drug abuse should not be left to law enforcement agencies alone, emphasising the need for collective action involving parents, teachers, religious and traditional leaders, civil society organisations, healthcare professionals, community leaders and the media.

As part of efforts to tackle the menace, he disclosed that the state government had established the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Substance Abuse Control and Prevention.

According to him, the office is responsible for coordinating awareness campaigns through media platforms, collaborating with public and private organisations involved in drug control, and carrying out sensitisation programmes at community and local government levels across the state.

Represented by his deputy, Idris Mohammed Gobir, Aliyu reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at preventing drug abuse, rehabilitating affected persons and dismantling criminal networks involved in illicit drug trafficking.

The governor commended the NDLEA for its sustained efforts in combating drug abuse and trafficking and called on all stakeholders to work together to safeguard the future of young people and build a healthier and safer society.

In his remarks, the State Commander of the agency, Mustapha Gidado, described drug abuse as a threat not only to security but also to the health and well-being of society.

He thanked the state government for its continued support and expressed hope that the collaboration would be sustained.