By Olasunkanmi Akinlotan
THE purchase of land by Moshood Abiola in the late 1970s, with the intention of building a top hotel in the Sabo area of Abeokuta, did not foresee its conversion into a drug haven.
Decades later, Mayas Hotel has transformed into a drug den where hard drugs are openly traded and consumed, despite its close proximity to Sabo and Lafenwa police stations. A journalist from NewsNow embarked on an undercover investigation to expose the unhindered drug operations.
Originally operational in the late 70s and early 80s, Mayas became a hub for drug users in the late 90s. The expansive land now holds a sawmill with numerous sheds, serving as a haven for drug addicts. The premises feature an abandoned roofless one-storey building that was once Mayas Hotel and an abandoned bungalow housing homeless drug users.
Teenagers, including 14-year-old Ibrahim Adeoye, sell hard drugs like Colorado, Codeine, and skunk at the drug den. Ibrahim, who joined the drug den at the age of 12 after losing his mother, shared his story with NewsNow, expressing that he sells drugs worth N300,000 every two days and has become addicted to smoking.
When the reporter visited, many of the drug sellers were between 13 and 17 years old, actively luring customers with their products. Despite a police raid in 2021, drug operations persist with smokers remaining undeterred. The close proximity of Mayas to a popular abattoir allows activities in the drug den to be visible from the abattoir and vice versa
Under Section 41 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, officers have the authority to apprehend individuals involved in drug-related activities. However, drug dealers continue to operate fearlessly, with reports of police on visits to extort money from major drug sellers rather than conducting arrests.
One of the smokers, Habeeb, disclosed that officers visit the drug den to meet with “senior men” rather than enforce the law. Another regular visitor, Rasheed Folarin, began smoking at 22 following his divorce, finding solace and pleasure in the drug den.
Ismail Orisade, who started smoking in secondary school, became addicted to drugs after his first experience and relies on it for basic bodily functions.
The state Commandant of the NDLEA, Ibiba Odili, acknowledged the prevalence of drug abusers in the state, citing a 2018 UN survey that indicated a significant number of drug users in the southwest region. Efforts are underway to combat drug abuse in Ogun State through collaboration with relevant agencies and the public.
The World Drug Report highlights a global concern with an increasing number of drug users and drug-related disorders. The report emphasizes the rise in cannabis potency and its associated health risks, particularly among regular long-term users.
Dr. Anthony Ogbemudia, a psychiatrist from the Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Aro, Abeokuta, emphasized the social, health, and behavioral consequences of drug abuse, stressing the heightened susceptibility of teenagers to perpetrate evils in society when under the influence.
Residents of the Sabo area have called on the state government and security agencies to intervene and remove the drug-selling teenagers from the den. The presence of homeless drug addicts has led to fights and cult-related activities, posing a threat to the community’s peace and security.
Rahmon Abiola, the family secretary, disclosed plans to convert the property into a university facility, closer to the Ogun River. He affirmed the family’s commitment to involving law enforcement agencies to eradicate drug abuse on the premises.
About The Author
