The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ondo State Command, has welcomed a new State Commander, Mr Folayemi Adeyemo Gabriel, a Commander of Narcotics (CN).
Adeyemo pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessors while introducing innovative strategies to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking and drug abuse across the state.
Speaking in an interview shortly after assuming office, Adeyemo recounted his journey in the anti-narcotics agency, describing it as nearly three decades of dedicated service.
According to him, he joined the NDLEA in 1997 as a member of Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics (ASN) Course 6 after successfully completing a six-month mandatory basic training course at the agency’s training school in Jos.
The new commander traced his educational background to Salvation Army Primary School, Eti-Oro, Supare Akoko, Ondo State, where he completed his primary education between 1976 and 1982. He later attended Ayegunle High School before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).
Before joining the NDLEA, Adeyemo worked with a transport consultancy firm in Lagos after completing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
He said his recruitment into the agency followed a newspaper advertisement in 1997, adding that he was among about 200 successful candidates who commenced training, of whom only 180 eventually graduated.
Throughout his career, Adeyemo has served in several strategic commands across the country, including Makurdi, Lokoja, Abeokuta, Ogbomosho, Ibadan, Niger State, Anambra, Apapa, Kebbi, Ekiti and the Akure Zonal Command.
He noted that one of his earliest achievements was establishing a new NDLEA Area Command shortly after his first deployment to Makurdi, despite the challenges involved.
The commander also recalled several major drug interdictions during his years in service, particularly in Ijebu-Ode and Niger State, which earned him commendation and accelerated promotion ahead of his course mates.
Following his promotion to the rank of Commander of Narcotics, he served as Deputy Zonal Commander of NDLEA Zone 10, Akure, before being appointed Ondo State Commander on 24 July 2026.
Outlining his vision for the Ondo State Command, Adeyemo said he intends to build on the solid foundation laid by his predecessors while introducing new operational strategies to tackle evolving drug-related threats.
“I will build on the existing structure and, after settling down, I will identify areas that require improvement. Drug traffickers continue to devise new methods to evade law enforcement, so we must also continue to improve our strategies,” he said.
He stressed that the agency would intensify intelligence-driven operations, particularly through the use of technology to identify and track drug trafficking networks operating online.
According to him, under the leadership of its Chairman and Chief Executive, the NDLEA has continued to train and retrain officers in digital intelligence and cyber surveillance to counter emerging trends in drug trafficking.
“We are strengthening our digital capabilities. Drug traffickers now rely heavily on online platforms to connect with customers. We intend to infiltrate these networks using intelligence and technology to dismantle their operations,” he added.
Adeyemo reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting residents of Ondo State from the dangers of illicit drugs through sustained enforcement, intelligence gathering, public sensitisation, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.