The Oyo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised serious concerns over the alarming rate of drug abuse among students in tertiary institutions, revealing that between four and five out of every 10 undergraduates are involved in drug use.
This revelation was made by the State Commander, Mr. Olayinka Joe-Fadile, on Wednesday during a public awareness rally in Ibadan held in commemoration of the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day.
World Drug Day, observed every June 26, aims to promote global action and cooperation towards a drug-free society.
This year’s campaign focuses on the need for long-term solutions to break the cycle of organised crime and drug trafficking by tackling root causes and strengthening health, education, and social systems.
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Speaking at the rally, Joe-Fadile expressed grave concern over the rising trend of drug use among young people, noting that users are getting younger each year.
“We now see children from age nine upward taking drugs. The statistics are also showing us that about four to five out of 10 undergraduates are into drugs,” he said.
He explained that the NDLEA is intensifying drug abuse prevention campaigns in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions across the state in a bid to reverse this disturbing trend.
Highlighting the agency’s recent achievements, Joe-Fadile disclosed that the command had arrested 150 suspects for various drug-related offences and destroyed approximately 11 tons of illicit substances in recent months.
He also issued a stern warning to drug producers, traffickers, and dealers across the state.
“Every day is for the thief, but one day is for the owner. NDLEA will soon knock at the doors of drug peddlers to pick them up for prosecution,” he warned.
Joe-Fadile further cautioned that drug abuse could lead to the destruction of vital internal organs and a slow, painful death. He urged parents, guardians, and community leaders to take greater responsibility in the fight against the drug menace.
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In a bid to bolster the grassroots campaign against drug use, the NDLEA has inducted several traditional rulers as ambassadors while also collaborating with religious leaders to disseminate anti-drug messages through their platforms.
The rally witnessed the participation of officials from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), among others.
The NDLEA reiterated its commitment to stamping out drug abuse and trafficking in Oyo State, calling on all stakeholders to join hands in the collective effort to protect the nation’s future generations.
