October 14, 2024 – A 45-year-old man, identified as Kazeem, tragically drowned in a river at Odo Tente, a boundary community between Lagos and Ogun states, after reportedly taking a hard drug suspected to be Colorado. The incident occurred on Friday morning around 11 a.m., according to local reports.
It was learned that Kazeem, under the influence of the drug, began behaving erratically and ran uncontrollably before jumping into the river. Eyewitnesses were unable to prevent him from entering the water, where he eventually drowned.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Sunday. โOn 11/10/2024 at about 11 a.m., a complainant reported at the Alagbado Division that one Kazeem, โMโ, 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,โ the statement read.
Police detectives from the Alagbado Division arrived at the scene to document the event and took photographs of the deceased for their records. Further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing.
Kazeem’s father, when contacted by authorities, requested that his sonโs body be buried immediately by the riverside, following their traditional customs. The police have respected this request, although they are continuing their investigation into the matter.
The incident is a grim reminder of the dangers of drug abuse, which continues to affect many individuals across Nigeria. In response to the growing issue of substance abuse, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development has expressed its commitment to raising awareness and providing support for Nigerian youths grappling with addiction. On January 31, the Ministry stated it was ready to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to offer rehabilitation services and skill acquisition programs for those affected.
This incident underscores the need for more comprehensive efforts to combat drug abuse and provide rehabilitation options for those in need.
