NDLEA Arrests 395 Suspects, Secures 97 Convictions in Ogun State in Six Months

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Ogun State Command, has announced the arrest of 395 suspects and the securing of 97 convictions between January and June 2025.

The State Commander, Tijjani Rabe, disclosed this on Monday at the 2025 International Youth Day celebration organised by the Consolidated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ogun State Council, held at the NUJ Secretariat, Iwe Iroyin, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.

This year’s theme was “Youth Empowerment for a Sustainable Future.”

Rabe, who chaired the event, revealed that the arrested suspects comprised 331 males and 64 females. He added that the command seized eight tonnes of cannabis sativa alongside various quantities of other psychotropic substances within the period, while 186 individuals were counselled.

The commander lamented the rising cases of drug abuse among youths, describing it as a major threat to communities, the state’s human capital, and Nigeria’s overall development.

“In the first half of 2025, the Command arrested 395 suspects — 331 males and 64 females — and counselled 186 clients. We secured 97 convictions and seized eight tonnes of cannabis sativa as well as other psychotropic drugs,” he said.

He noted that the 2024 operations had been even larger in scale, with the seizure of 12 tonnes of cannabis sativa, the arrest of 687 suspects (572 males and 115 females), the counselling of 406 drug users, and the securing of 221 convictions.

Rabe stressed that the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking must be seen as a collective responsibility. He called on parents, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders to unite in the campaign against substance abuse.

“As drug law enforcement practitioners, we understand that this fight cannot be won by the NDLEA alone.

It requires the active involvement of every segment of society. We must speak with one voice against the menace,” he said.

The NDLEA boss further urged the empowerment of young people with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to resist the lure of drug use and trafficking, emphasising that a united front was key to protecting the nation’s future.