In a stunning development that highlights the growing menace of drug abuse among youths, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended two young women in Ilorin, Kwara State, for allegedly manufacturing and distributing drug-laced cupcakes to students.
The suspects, 24-year-old Khadijat Abdulraheem, a recent university graduate, and Ayomide Morakinyo, a 20-year-old student of the University of Ilorin, were arrested on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at their apartment on Tanke-University of Ilorin Road, Oke Odo.
According to Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, a raid on their apartment uncovered a shocking cache of 42 pieces of drug-infused cupcakes, which the suspects allegedly sold to unsuspecting students in the area.
Babafemi described the operation as part of the agency’s intensified crackdown on the growing trend of drug-laced consumables being marketed to young people. “This arrest is a stark reminder of how far drug traffickers are willing to go to hook the younger generation on dangerous substances,” Babafemi said.
In an unrelated but equally disturbing case, the NDLEA also rearrested an ex-convict, Sodade Sunday Eniola, who had previously been sentenced to four years in prison for drug trafficking in June 2024. Eniola, who was convicted by a Federal High Court in Lagos and given an option of a N750,000 fine—which he promptly paid—was arrested again by the MMIA Strategic Command for passport racketeering.
Babafemi expressed concern over the leniency of Eniola’s earlier sentence, emphasizing that the reoffending highlights the need for stricter penalties to deter drug-related crimes. “This is a wake-up call for the justice system to ensure that penalties for drug offenders are stringent enough to discourage repeat offenses,” he added.
The arrest of Khadijat and Ayomide has reignited concerns over the growing drug crisis among Nigerian youths, particularly in academic institutions. Experts warn that the use of drug-laced edibles, which are often perceived as harmless, is on the rise, making it harder for authorities to detect and curb.
Parents, school administrators, and the government are being urged to step up efforts to educate students on the dangers of drug abuse, while law enforcement agencies continue to tighten the noose on drug traffickers.
The NDLEA’s recent operations serve as a stark reminder of the evolving tactics employed by drug syndicates. As the agency ramps up its efforts to dismantle such networks, citizens are urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
This latest bust is a testament to the NDLEA’s unwavering commitment to protecting Nigeria’s future generations from the grip of drug abuse. However, it also underscores the pressing need for a collective effort to tackle the underlying factors fueling the drug epidemic in the country.
With public outrage mounting, the arrests could spark a broader conversation about stricter regulations and harsher penalties for drug offenders. The nation now watches closely, demanding justice and long-term solutions to safeguard its youth from the devastating consequences of drug addiction.
PIONEER NEWS 