Mon. May 25th, 2026
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The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) in collaboration with security outfits, has apprehended a syndicate of impostors who have been extorting unsuspecting motorists under the guise of traffic enforcement officers.  Speaking during an interview with Journalists in Ibadan on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, the Executive Chairman of OYRTMA, Maj. Adesagba Adekoya (rtd), said the agency had been inundated with complaints from residents and road users about the activities of these criminals, who often impersonate OYRTMA officials to carry out their schemes. “For a while now, we have been receiving numerous complaints from motorists and the good people of Oyo State about the activities of some groups perpetrating mischief in traffic. You may recall the incident on the 9th of last month when a banker was accosted and robbed of 85,000 by individuals posing as OYRTMA officials. That was just one of many cases, he explained.  According to him, OYRTMA, working in conjunction with Amotekun Corps and Operation Burst, launched a decisive operation in Egbeda and Lagelu Local Government Areas to dismantle the syndicate. During the operation, we recovered about 95 number plates already seized from motorists, several vehicle batteries ranging from 75 to 150 amps, and fake tickets showing extortion sums as high as N85,000 and N90,000. We also arrested eight suspects in Egbeda, who have since been handed over to the police at Testing Ground for further investigation, he revealed. Maj. Adekoya stressed that the sole responsibility of traffic management in Oyo State lies with OYRTMA and not the local governments. The full responsibility for traffic management in Oyo State rests with OYRTMA. While local governments can enforce no-parking signs and related matters, they do not have the authority to apprehend vehicles for traffic violations. That is an exclusive function of OYRTMA. Unfortunately, these criminals exploit the confusion to extort innocent citizens, he said. He added that unlike the impostors, OYRTMA operates within the law by subjecting offenders to due process. When we apprehend offenders, we dont just hand them tickets arbitrarily. We have a tribunal within OYRTMA where they undergo a judicial process to ensure fair hearing. These impostors simply extort money on the spot. That is why we are determined to flush them out with the help of security agencies, he assured. The OYRTMA chairman advised motorists to always demand proper identification before complying with anyone claiming to be a traffic official. Our staff have valid identity cards and uniforms. We also created complaint channels recently so that people can report suspicious activities directly to us. Dont fall into the hands of fraudsters. If in doubt, call our numbers and alert us immediately, he urged.  Maj. Adekoya further reiterated the agencys commitment to ensuring a fair and lawful traffic management system in Oyo State, free from illegal harassment and extortion.    The post OYRTMA nabs fake traffic officers extorting motorists in Ibadan, recovers 95 number plates and batteries appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.

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From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.