The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State Command, has revealed that approximately four to five out of every 10 Nigerian undergraduates are involved in drug use. The alarming statistics were disclosed by the state NDLEA Commander, Olayinka Joe-Fadile, during a rally in Ibadan to mark the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The annual observance, held every June 26, aims to bolster global cooperation and action toward a drug-free world. This year’s theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention, Break the Circle,” underscores the urgency of proactive and preventive measures.
Joe-Fadile raised concerns over the growing exposure of young people to drugs, revealing that some users are as young as nine. He said the agency is intensifying its outreach across all levels of education, from primary schools to tertiary institutions, as the demographic of drug users continues to skew younger.
In recent months, the command has arrested 150 suspects linked to drug offences and destroyed over 11 tons of seized illicit substances. Joe-Fadile warned that drug abuse could lead to severe health consequences, including irreversible damage to internal organs and eventual death. He affirmed that NDLEA would not relent in its efforts to apprehend and prosecute drug traffickers and manufacturers.
He also noted ongoing collaboration with traditional and religious leaders, many of whom have been enlisted as NDLEA ambassadors, to take anti-drug messages to grassroots communities.
The rally saw participation from officers of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), among others.