The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has expressed deep concern over the rising consumption of cannabis and potent synthetic variants known as “loud” in Oyo State.

Speaking during the public destruction of drug exhibits in Ipara, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the NDLEA’s Oyo State Commander, Mr. Olayinka Joe-Fadile, described the trend as dangerous and alarming.

“These loud drugs are even more expensive and more dangerous than Cannabis sativa,” he stated. “It kills gradually and painfully.”

Joe-Fadile noted that the variants in circulation—such as Scottish Loud, Canadian Loud, and Arizona Loud—pose an even greater health risk than traditional cannabis strains.

In a passionate appeal to young Nigerians, he warned, “You may think the drug is giving you inspiration now, but it will eventually kill slowly and painfully.”

Highlighting the importance of inter-agency collaboration, Joe-Fadile praised the joint effort by multiple NDLEA commands, which led to the destruction of 1.6 million kilogrammes of illicit substances.

“Each command used to burn its exhibits separately… but today, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, and strategic commands under Zones 9 and 11 came together to perform the task jointly,” he said.

The participating commands included the Lagos Strategic Command, Ogun Command, Oyo Command, MMIA Strategic Command, Lagos Seaports, Idiroko Border, and Seme Command.

The NDLEA reiterated its commitment to combating drug abuse and trafficking across the country, especially among youth who remain the most vulnerable.