NDLEA Arrests 138 for Peddling Drugs in Lagos, Suspect Blames Fashola’s Ban on Motorcycles

 

NDLEA Arrests 138 for Peddling Drugs in Lagos, Suspect Blames Fashola’s Ban on Motorcycles

The Lagos command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) while giving a report of its activities in the first quarter of the year, said it arrested 138 persons for peddling drugs in the state.

The command also stated that it seized up to 1.399 metric tons of drugs between January and March, 2017.

NDLEA Lagos commander, Aliyu Sule said the drugs were seized majorly in Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Lagos Island and Ikorodu. He however added that raids on some other parts of Lagos state similarly some results.

Sule who noted that the command already secured the conviction of 54 drug dealers in the first quarter of 2017, stated that 137 of the 138 drug suspects arrested in the same period were men.

“Cannabis has the largest share with 1,390.38kg, tramadol 9.35kg, cocaine 23.65 grams and heroin 22.8 grams,” he said.

One of the suspects, 34-year-old Ngozi Owunna who was nabbed at Allen Junction with 600 grams of hemp, however blamed his actions on the ban imposed on motorcyles in the state.

Former Lagos state governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola who is now Nigeria’s minister of power, works and housing, had in March 2012 banned the use of motorcyles popularly known as ‘Okada’ from major roads in the state, a policy that significantly rendered many operators jobless.

The policy was reinforced by his successor, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, whose administration has recently hinted of plans to crush all seized motorcycles.

“I was a commercial motorcyclist but when the state government banned commercial motorcycles, I shifted to cannabis sales. I am from Enugu State.  I am married with three children,” Owunna said.

One other suspect, 50-year-old Abdulrauf Oshilaja, who was allegedly caught with 50.3kg of cannabis, is quoted by The Nation to have said that he took to peddling drugs because he was under pressure to feed his 2 wives and 5 children.

Drug abuse and peddling remain major concerns across the country, notwithstanding regular seizures by the NDLEA and the destruction of such seized drugs.