Veritas News Hub | Kwara Desk | 26th June 2026
OFFA, Kwara State – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Kwara State Command, has taken its anti-drug campaign to Offa Metropolis to commemorate the 2026 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, with theme; "The World Drug Problem: Issues, innovative and Responses", building on last year’s extensive outreach in Ilorin.
Led by State Commandant CN Hajia Fatima Abiola Popoola, NDLEA operatives and sensitization teams moved into the nooks and crannies of Offa and its environs on Friday. They engaged residents, traders, drivers, youths, and community leaders on the dangers of drug abuse, trafficking, and available rehabilitation pathways.
Unlike previous campaigns largely confined to the state capital, this year’s outreach targeted Kwara South to deepen NDLEA’s presence. Operatives visited the Palace of the Olofa of Offa, Owode Market, motor parks, and densely populated neighborhoods. They distributed flyers, displayed banners, and used a movable public address system to speak directly to young people on the streets.
Commandant Popoola, who led the crusade alongside DCN Kenneth Odili, Commander of Training and Operations, said the agency’s goal is to make every community see drug abuse as a public threat, not a private issue.
“Last year we concentrated within Ilorin metropolis. This year, we are taking the message to strategic communities like Offa and other parts of the state. The war against drugs must be fought in every street, every market, and every home,” Popoola told journalists.
She noted that Kwara’s position as a bridge between the North and South makes it a transit route for traffickers. “But we are closing those gaps. Surveillance along key corridors has been tightened,” she added.
The campaign was welcomed with open arms by Offa residents. Market women, commercial drivers, youth groups, and traditional leaders praised the agency for its “ever-active presence” and for taking sensitization to the people instead of operating only from offices.
High Chief Ojomu of Offa said the Commandant’s presence on the streets sent a strong message to users and dealers.
“The fact that the Commandant herself is here, walking through our streets, tells us NDLEA is serious. This open campaign tells peddlers and addicts that Kwara NDLEA is on ground and will not stop until they stop,” he said.
Youths also engaged officers on peer pressure, stigma, rehabilitation, and how to report suspicious activities without fear.
‘We Will Not Stop Until They Stop’
Addressing a crowd in central Offa, DCN Kenneth Odili said operations will continue beyond UN Day. She warned that Kwara will no longer serve as a safe corridor for illicit drugs.
“Kwara is a transit state between the North and South, and traffickers have tried to exploit that. To the peddlers: we are coming for you. To the addicts: help is available, but the time to stop is now,” she said.
CN Popoola disclosed that NDLEA Kwara arrested 985 suspects and seized over 5.7 tonnes of illicit drugs between June 2025 and June 2026. Major interceptions occurred along the Ogbomosho-Jebba corridor. She added that 68 offenders were convicted within the period, including cases involving concealment in private vehicles.
Last year’s Ilorin campaign focused on schools, religious centers, and motor parks. It raised public awareness and reduced open pharmaceutical abuse in parts of the metropolis. Organizations, like the Kwara for Kwarans Initiative earlier praised the Command for cutting consumption to “almost zero” in most areas of the state.
Officials described the Offa outreach as part of a broader strategy to decentralize the fight and prevent drug networks from relocating after crackdowns in the capital.
While addressing newsmen, CN Popoola expressed satisfaction with collaboration between NDLEA, community leaders, the National Youth Service Corps, and the public. She said this year’s message is “clear and direct to parents” to act as children’s first teachers by monitoring associations, conversations, and behavior at home.
She also applauded the Kwara State Government for implementing drug-testing policies across tertiary institutions and for teachers statewide, calling it a critical preventive measure.
Pharmacist Umando Ajarie of the Society for Family Health, a lead partner of NDLEA, said the organization is reducing harmful drug supply nationwide through its free Drug Harm Reduction Initiative, DHI.
He explained that DHI provides medication-assisted treatment with approved drugs at Kwara State Teaching Hospital, Ilorin. The program targets persons deeply dependent on opioids like tramadol who struggle with “withdrawal syndrome” despite wanting to quit.
“Research shows many addicts find it difficult to stop on their own because of withdrawal symptoms. DHI supports them medically so they can recover safely,” Ajarie said.
He urged Nigerians to avoid drug abuse, but said anyone already affected should seek help. “If at all you’ve started, all you need to do is come to DHI at Kwara State Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, for confidential help,” he said.
NDLEA officials urged parents, teachers, religious leaders, and market associations to own the campaign. They stressed early intervention, open dialogue at home, and reporting dealers to authorities.
“We cannot arrest our way out of this problem alone. Every Kwaran must be part of this fight. If you see something, say something,” an officer told traders at Owode Market.
The campaign ended with a road walk through central Offa. NDLEA officers, NYSC members, youths, and residents carried placards reading “Say No to Drugs,” “Kwara Deserves Better,” and “Invest in Prevention.”
As United Nations Day activities continue nationwide, NDLEA Kwara said it will extend similar outreaches to other LGAs in the coming months, focusing on communities identified as transit points.
Veritas Note: The 2026 UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is themed “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.”
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