The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State Command, says it arrested 533 suspects for drug-related offences and seized drugs valued at N1.6 billion across the state.

The state NDLEA Commander, Lawal Adetula, disclosed this during an interview on Wednesday in Ibadan.

Mr Adetula said the arrests and seizures were recorded within six months of his assumption of office.

He said the command achieved significant milestones in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking since he assumed duty in November 2025.

According to him, the suspects comprised 407 males and 126 females arrested for offences involving Cannabis sativa, cocaine, tramadol, diazepam, “skuchies,” Rohypnol, colorado, codeine, cannabis-infused chocolate and other psychotropic substances.

“Within the period under review, the command recorded seizures of over three tonnes of Cannabis sativa and other narcotics and psychotropic substances, with an estimated street value of N1.6 billion. We also destroyed a colorado production factory in Ibadan, and the owner is currently being prosecuted,” he said.

Mr Adetula said one of the notable arrests involved a Sokoto-based businessman intercepted in a commercial bus along the Ibadan–Oyo Expressway.

He said that a body scan confirmed that the suspect ingested illicit drugs, leading to the recovery of 45 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.043kg during excretion observation.

He said investigations showed that the suspect travelled by road to evade airport detection and intended to smuggle the drugs through trans-Saharan routes via Algeria to Europe.

Mr Adetula also said 84 suspects had been charged to court for various drug-related offences, while 51 were convicted and sentenced to jail terms ranging from six months to two years.

He added that the command recovered several non-drug exhibits within the period, including vehicles, pistols and cash linked to drug traffickers.

“As part of our drug demand reduction efforts, we have provided brief intervention and counselling services to 375 persons who use drugs (PWUD), comprising 283 males and 92 females,” he said.

MrAdetula further said the command’s rehabilitation centre in Iseyin had successfully rehabilitated and reintegrated 10 persons into society, while nine others were still undergoing residential rehabilitation.

The commander said the command would continue to sensitise residents to the dangers of illicit drug use and trafficking.

He commended the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Marwa, for his support, which he said contributed significantly to operational efficiency and recent successes.

Mr Adetula also appreciated NDLEA personnel in the state for their dedication, professionalism and commitment, as well as stakeholders for their support.
(NAN)