By OKOSUN DENNIS
A suspected drug addict arrested by the Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command has disclosed that he made over N300, 000 monthly from begging in Ikeja.
Kehinde Olatubosun, ((56), from Ibadan, Oyo State, was on Saturday night arrested along with 18 other drug addicts at a joint in Ipodo, Ikeja.
A team of Rapid Response Squad Decoy Team had on Saturday night traced a stolen phone to the joint, leading to the arrest of a three– man gang mobile phone thieves , three hard drug peddlers and 13 drug addicts.
Olatubosun stated that he made over N10, 000 daily begging in Mobolaji Bank Anthony round about, beside Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Toyin Street and Opebi, all in Ikeja.
“Every day I make over N10, 000 daily doing corporate begging. All days of the week, I am always in Mobolaji Bank Anthony Roundabout, Toyin Street roundabout and Opebi. At times, I collaborate with beggars. Whatever we make, we share but I get a larger share.
What I do is that, I get LASUTH drug prescription papers. I get it from their waste bin. With this in my hand, I convince motorists, passengers and passersby that I have a relative who is in dire need of money to buy drugs and I show them the prescription papers.
“This is what I have been doing since I was deported from Germany in 2004. Before the deportation, I was working as Electrical Engineer in Bauhusa, Colon, Germany. I was in Germany for 12 years before I was deported.
“I was caught in possession of drug in Germany, so they deported me. I have four children. Two are in Germany with my wife. One is in Texas, United States and another in Nigeria, the suspect stated.
He added that ‘. Unfortunately, all the money I make from this begging goes into drugs. Day after day, I am always there, seven days a week. I make more money on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. I make more than N10,000 on weekends.
“As I speak to you, I am not on drug but I am experiencing withdrawal symptoms, that is, the effect of not taking drugs for sometimes. I was in Ipodo drug joint, Ikeja when I was arrested. I was on drug when I was picked up yesterday. I have never been arrested for any offence before. I am praying that RRS release me.
” I promise I won’t go back to drug again. Where I live presently was given to me by my in-law”, he stated.
Meanwhile, another drug suspect, who was arrested at the same drug joint with Olatunbosun has said that, drug addiction has destroyed his life.
Dada Ajayi, 48, noted that his hopeless condition was as a result of his drug addiction. He emphasized that for more than 17 years, he was hooked on drug. ‘I am trying to get over it now; drug has been the cause of my stagnation in life.
“I frequent that joint because I have nowhere to go. I have lived the better part of my life consuming drugs, as I talk to you, the remains of my wife is in Ikeja mortuary. She was taken to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. I was asked to bring N150,000 for surgery but I didn’t have N50,000 on me then. She died in the process, the drug addict said.
He added that. “Right now, I have lost my family because of my drug addiction. I don’t know where my children are or how to start my life again. I can’t stop going to that drug joint because it is the only place where I get consolation. It is the only place am at peace with myself”.
“If anybody want to help us, they should arrest the drug barons or dealers. Arresting us won’t solve drug problem because without the sellers there won’t be the takers.
You arrest the dealers, I mean the merchants, then, you have cut the supply and thus saved us from getting drugs. Without that, we would always find our ways there whenever we are released”, he stated.