Operatives of the FCT Police Command have arrested a 27-year-old Dispatch Rider, Magaji Adamu, while transporting multiple cartons of nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas,” suspected to be used for illegal purposes.
Adamu, a graduate of Gidan Waya College of Education, Kafanchan, Kaduna, was apprehended on January 20, 2024, during a routine patrol in Abuja, a press statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Josephine Adeh, Thursday in Abuja, said.
The spokesperson disclosed that upon interrogation, the suspect admitted to working as a dispatch rider for a logistics platform called Gonymble since December 2024.
Adamu stated that it was the fourth time he was delivering the substance, which was always handed over to him by a man he simply identified as Mr. Danladi.
According to Adamu, the client would call him and instruct him to pick up the packages near a police station in Jabi, Abuja, for delivery.
He said each delivery earned him N5,000, even as the dispatch rider, who relocated to Abuja in December, claimed he was unaware of the true nature of the substance.
He said Danladi told him the gas was used in hospitals, however, upon realising its actual purpose, he cooperated with law enforcement and led officers to his residence, where additional quantities were recovered.
The PPRO recalled that on July 11, 2023, a sister agency mandated a nationwide crackdown on the illegal sale and misuse of nitrous oxide, noting that the agency instructed law enforcement agencies to take swift action against its distribution in response to increasing concerns over its recreational use.
She said the directive came after a viral photo of a Nigerian rapper holding a balloon surfaced on social media, sparking controversy with many internet users speculating that the image depicted the rapper using laughing gas, which was becoming popular among young people.
Nitrous oxide, commonly used for medical sedation and food processing, can produce short-lived euphoria, giggling, hallucinations, and lightheadedness when inhaled. However, prolonged abuse can lead to serious health risks, including memory loss, depression, lowered blood pressure, oxygen deprivation, nerve damage, heart complications.
Although Nigeria lacks official data on fatalities linked to laughing gas abuse, the UK’s Office for National Statistics reported that between 2001 and 2020, nitrous oxide was linked to 56 deaths, with 45 occurring after 2010.
In light of this development, the FCT Police Command has warned residents, particularly those engaged in logistics and delivery services, to exercise caution and due diligence in their business dealings.
The command noted that criminal elements often exploit unsuspecting individuals to transport illegal substances, putting them at risk of legal consequences.
She said the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Olatunji Disu, has urged residents to be vigilant and verify the nature of the goods they are handling to avoid being implicated in criminal activities.
He emphasised the importance of conducting thorough checks before accepting deliveries, reporting any suspicious transactions to law enforcement, and remaining cautious when dealing with unknown individuals.
He recommending that logistics, delivery service providers, and ride-hailing services maintain transparent operations and prioritise adherence to legal and security regulations to ensure a safe and secure environment.
