In one of Lagos’ busiest and most chaotic suburbs, Agege’s Isale Oja, dreams are quietly extinguished as dangerous substances tighten their grip on young lives amid deep-rooted societal neglect. With drugs sold openly, poverty entrenched, and hope rapidly fading, survival for many youths seems far-fetched. IBRAHIM ADAM writes that in this densely populated neighbourhood that struggles to cope with a crisis that grows more alarming by the day, families watch helplessly as their children slip deeper into a vicious cycle of addiction
In one of the bustling streets of Isale Oja in Agege Local Government, Lagos State, where life thrives amidst the daily buzz of commerce, a young man known in his community as The Law reportedly died after smoking a substance called Colorado, popularly referred to as Colos.
The Law, not yet 30, was one of three brothers grappling with addiction. His elder brother, popularly known as Mission, already bore the signs of the heavy toll substance abuse takes, while their younger sibling, Saddam, remains at risk of following the same perilous path.
During a visit by Sunday PUNCH to Capitol Bus Stop, Alagbigba Street, and the winding alleys of Market Street, it was evident that drug use is an open secret.
Youths smoked and consumed substances without fear, often mixing dangerous chemicals into soft drinks and sharing them casually among friends with impunity.
Investigations revealed that The Law and his brothers are originally from Kano State, but the pattern of substance abuse transcends ethnicity.
Across Agege, both Hausa and Yoruba families face the heartbreak of children drawn into addiction.
Authorities, such as the Lagos State Task Force, typically carry out operations at night, targeting individuals suspected of drug abuse or violent behaviour.
Crackdowns by security agencies, as reported by PUNCH on 21 May and 20 June this year, revealed that 114 suspected criminals were arrested in Agege.
These raids focused on hotspots such as the Railway Corridor (Ojurin), Oke Koto, AP, and the Isale Oja community.
Isale Oja Market, famed for its fresh produce, including meat and fish, and attracting shoppers from across Lagos, remains a vibrant hub,
Traders also sell materials for traditional practices, making the market a central destination for daily needs and cultural essentials.
The community’s rich cultural identity shines through events like the annual Gbogunleri Isale-Oja Day, which unites residents through cultural displays, sporting events, skill acquisition programmes, and lively performances by local musicians.
Even prominent visitors are not immune to the stark realities of the neighbourhood.
When Afrobeats star Adekunle Temitope, popularly known as Small Doctor, returned to his Agege roots, he was confronted with a sobering scene. In a heartfelt post on X, he shared:
“I strolled through hoods on Sunday, and what I saw was heartbreaking. The rate at which young chaps use drugs nowadays is alarming.”
He graphically described youths who appeared disoriented, noting that some were “sleeping while standing,” while others maintained unnatural postures, completely detached from their surroundings
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