Date: 2020-06-22

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the weekend raised the alarm on the rising involvement of women in the sale of Tramadol and other illicit drugs in Kwara state.

The agency added that had this year alone arrested no fewer than 195 persons in connection with the sale of illicit drugs in the state, saying 49 of the suspects were women.

NDLEA state Commander Ambrose Umoru told reporters in Ilorin, Kwara state capital ahead of this year's United Nations international day against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

Mr. Umoru said that "some of the females were arrested in their provision stores and some others in their homes which they have turned into hideouts for sale of illicit drugs. It is shocking that more women are getting involved in the sale of tramadol and codeine cough syrup.

"In coordinated operations carried out across the state from June last year to date, the command recorded total seizures of 5,880.94 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs; 380 suspects (304 males and 76 females) were arrested. A total of 138 persons that use drugs were counseled and reintegrated with their families. The command recorded eight convictions and 18cases are pending in court.

"Recent operation activities by the state have unraveled the uncontrollable desire to make money through illegal sale of banned tramadol tablets and cough syrup with codeine. Several arrests have been made not only in chemist shops but in provision and food item shops."

Also speaking, Chairperson, Kwara state Drug Control Committee Barakat Olarewaju her committee between last quarter of 2019 and first quarter of this year, sensitized no fewer than 8,895 persons on the dangers inherent in drug abuse and sale of illicit drug.

Mrs. Olarewaju added that the committee carried out "advocacy programme to 12 traditional rulers in the state to enlist their support in the fight against the drug abuse epidemic."