A tragic incident unfolded on Friday at Odo Tente, a border community between Lagos and Ogun states, when a 45-year-old man, simply identified as Kazeem, drowned in a river after reportedly consuming a hard drug believed to be Colorado.
The event, which occurred around 11 am, led to a devastating outcome as Kazeem’s actions, allegedly spurred by the effects of the drug, escalated rapidly.
Eyewitnesses stated that Kazeem began exhibiting erratic and uncontrollable behaviour shortly after consuming the substance, which resulted in him running frantically and plunging into the river.
Attempts to save him were unsuccessful, as he drowned before help could reach him.
In an official statement released on Sunday, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident.
“On 11/10/2024 at about 11 am, a complainant reported at the Alagbado Division that one Kazeem, ‘M’, aged 45, under the influence of a hard drug suspected to be Colorado, ran uncontrollably and jumped into a river at the Odo Tente boundary between Lagos and Ogun states. Sequel to this, the victim drowned and died,” Hundeyin said.
Police officers from the Alagbado Division responded swiftly to the scene, documenting the situation with photographs of the deceased.
Upon contacting the family, Kazeem’s father instructed that his son’s body be buried immediately by the riverbank, in accordance with their traditional customs.
While the burial proceeded as per the family’s wishes, Hundeyin stated that police investigations into the circumstances of the incident had been launched to uncover any further details.
This incident has once again brought the issue of drug abuse in Nigeria into the spotlight. Earlier in the year, on January 31, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development announced its readiness to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to combat the growing problem of substance abuse among young Nigerians.
In a statement, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, revealed that the Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Bio Ibrahim, during a meeting with NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd.), pledged to increase awareness, offer rehabilitation programs, and provide skills acquisition initiatives for youths battling drug addiction.
This commitment to addressing the drug crisis reflects a national concern, particularly in light of incidents like Kazeem’s tragic death, highlighting the urgent need for preventative measures and support systems for those affected by substance abuse.
