₦airaland Forum

Colos as a threat

According to an online news platform, chiexclusive.com, Colos, also known on the streets as Scooby Snax, Black Mamba, or Potpourri, is a synthetic drug designed to mimic tetrahydrocannabinol, the active compound in marijuana responsible for producing a “high.”

Unlike natural marijuana derived from the cannabis plant, Colos is made by spraying synthetic chemicals onto dried plant material, such as shredded leaves or grass.

“These chemicals are engineered to bind to the same brain receptors as THC, but they are often far more potent and unpredictable,” the report explains. The exact chemical composition varies between batches and remains unregulated, making the drug highly dangerous.


Nigerian health influencer and medical doctor Egemba Fidelis, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, also sounded the alarm about Colos’ severe mental health and addiction risks in an Instagram video.

“Just like other drugs, Colorado has what is called tolerance. One drag today gives an effect, but tomorrow you need more to achieve the same high. This progression quickly leads to addiction,” he explained.

He clarified that Colos is not ordinary marijuana but a dangerous mix of cannabis and phencyclidine, a drug once used as a surgical anaesthetic, but was discontinued due to severe side effects.

“The major effect of Colos is hallucination. Your mind begins to see things that aren’t there. Some feel extreme joy, while others stop feeling pain entirely. It is life-threatening and not something users can quit at any time,” Aproko Doctor warned.

“They now say, ‘Let’s try Colorado,’ because many of you believe you can always stop whenever you want. That’s a lie. Once you start, it’s a downward slope. Your body begins to crave it, and when you don’t get it, you may experience muscle stiffness, seizures, or something even worse. If you take too much Colorado, it can lead to death, kidney failure, or cause your heart to beat abnormally. So before you join the Colos challenge, think twice,” he warned.

‘Colos more deadly than cocaine’

Saddam, the younger brother of the late The Law, told our reporter that Colorado is far more deadly than cocaine and capable of destroying a user’s life in a matter of weeks.


The former drug addict and dealer explained that Colos has become increasingly popular among young people in Agege, alongside other illicit substances openly sold in the community.

He said, “There are two types of Colos. One is called Colos gbau gbau, which hits immediately. Just one puff and you’ll feel it straight inside your head because it is very strong. The second one is the normal skipping smoke that makes you sleep. I can assure you that anyone who takes cocaine will be scared of taking Colos. This is a chemical we’re talking about.

“I thank God I no longer take Colos, and I can never go back to it. Colos? Ha! I have sold all these drugs before, and getting them is not difficult at all. Just go to Akerele, you’ll find different types there. Akerele is the main drug market here in Agege.”

He vividly described the devastating physical and mental effects the substance had on him.

“After taking it, you would see me walking and sleeping at the same time. Sometimes, I would wake up in the morning and start wandering around the neighbourhood with no destination. When I came back to my senses, I would beg for money just to buy drugs again that same day. They take drugs in Mushin, but they can’t match us here in Agege. How many can they take in a day or a week? With just N150 or N200, you can go to Akerele and get whatever you want.

“Drugs do not make anyone succeed; they only bring destruction. Taking Colos alone can wreck anyone’s life. You won’t find help because of the way it deforms your body and your life. I know two people who died in Agege because of Colos. If anyone had told me I would stop taking it, I would never have believed it. But I have truly changed, and I thank God,” he said.

Saddam also listed some of the most commonly used drugs in the area and their current prices.

According to him, Scorches costs N2,000 per gram, or N500 for a smaller portion; Cana sells for N4,500 per gram, Colos costs N2,000 per gram, or N500 for a small one; codeine goes for N8,000 per bottle, Chally costs N900 for a small portion, while Banku is priced between N15,000 and N18,000 per gram.

He added that SK, ice, crack, and gum are also available and are quite cheap.

‘I started smoking at 11 years old’

Expressing deep regret, Saddam recalled how early he was introduced to drugs.

“I started smoking igbo (marijuana) at the age of 11. When I returned from school and was told to go to work, I wouldn’t. I would go back to the same school to smoke with friends.

“You know, teachers leave around 4 p.m., and that’s when we will jump the fence into the school compound to do whatever we want. They warned me several times, but I didn’t listen, and now I’m facing the consequences.”

He confessed that he now feels genuine remorse and expressed a desire to leave behind the streets of Isale Oja, to start a new life far removed from its shadows.


“I was born and raised in this community, and look at my life now. Is this a curse? I’ve made up my mind to leave so that I can become a better person. My elder brother is dead, and I don’t want to die like him. My mind is made up, I will leave so that I can become something meaningful in life.”

“I want my parents’ forgiveness”

Another man battling long-term addiction shared a heart-rending account of his struggle and regrets.

He spoke to Sunday PUNCH on the condition of anonymity, pleading that his name and photograph not be used to avoid bringing further shame to his parents.

With tears streaming down his face, he said, “Please don’t add my name and picture because if you do, you will add to my parents’ problems. They are not happy with me, and using it will not be good for them. I want my parents to forgive me because they did everything possible to stop me from doing this.”

Now in his late 30s, he said his addiction began in childhood, recalling how everything changed when he started skipping school and mixing with the wrong crowd.

“It all started when I was a small boy. My parents thought I was going to school, but after leaving the house and getting to the Capitol Bus Stop, I would change my clothes, put them in my bag, and go out to play. That was how I met some of my friends,” he revealed.

He recounted the moment they first lured him into smoking and drinking, gradually pulling him deeper into a world of more dangerous substances, each step a slippery descent he barely recognised at the time.

“They taught me many things, including how to smoke, drink, and later, other things. I knew nothing about ladies until I watched one of my friends engage in sexual activities with his girlfriend. I also witnessed how a lady was raped, but I didn’t join them. But you see that drink and Colos, that one is my thing,” he recounted.

He explained that his dependency has grown beyond mere habit, noting that what was once a choice has now become a matter of survival, a relentless grip that dictates his everyday life.

“I won’t lie to you. If I don’t take this stuff, I will die because it is now part of me. This is something I’ve been taking for over 10 years, and you want me to stop? Even my parents did everything they could. When they got tired, they stopped and left me alone,” he said angrily.

He recounted a time when his health deteriorated so badly that people feared he would not survive.

“There was a time I was very sick; so sick that everyone believed I would die. But I did not. God spared my life. Shame on anyone who expected me to die,” he said.

The man admitted that he still visits his family occasionally, although they are fully aware that he remains dependent on Colos.


“Whenever I go to my family members, they even ask me what I want, and I tell them it’s money for food. They know I’m lying because they know I will use part of it to buy Colos. That Colos is the main food, my guy. If you take a small amount of it, you’ll feel alright,” he said, smiling.

He lamented how addiction had claimed many of his friends; some dead, some beaten, and others forced to flee the neighbourhood after being caught stealing to feed their drug habit.

“Some of my friends are no longer in this neighbourhood. They kept stealing, and when they were caught, they were beaten badly. One was almost killed before the police arrived that day. I don’t steal; I don’t take what isn’t mine. But if I mean you, and I see you after taking my usual food (Colos), you are in trouble,” he warned.

For now, he survives on the streets, sleeping wherever he can find space, and admits that returning home is unlikely.

“My family would accept me if I went home, but I cannot, because I wouldn’t be able to take Colos again, and they wouldn’t allow me the freedom I need. I sleep anywhere. Where do I get the money to rent a place?” he asked.

Colos slowly killing our children – Resident


A resident of the community, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH under condition of anonymity to avoid being attacked, highlighted the grim reality of drug abuse within families and its devastating effect on society.


“The Law was not even up to 30 years old before his death. Sadly, he is not the only one. In their family, three of them are into drugs. What surprises me the most is that these boys are not even Yoruba but Hausa. There is also another Hausa family, Jafar, Imam, and Colo, who are into drugs. Here, both Hausa and Yoruba families are affected.

“We hope The Law’s death will make them rethink and stop taking those substances. The substance they take, called Colos, is extremely dangerous. Anyone who takes Colos becomes lean and frail, almost looking like characters from horror movies. Even people who take gbana (cocaine) are afraid of Colos because of its side effects. I can’t understand why anyone would still choose to take it. It’s pure poison. With just N500, anyone can buy it,” he said.

The resident highlighted the devastating death toll in the neighbourhood, saying, “Since I started living here, I have seen at least five young boys die because of Colos. They think they are enjoying themselves, but in truth, they are slowly killing themselves.”

Slow death

A former addict, popularly known as Bature, who spent more than a decade smoking marijuana, opened up about his harrowing journey, sharing his story as a cautionary tale for young people.

“Ten long years of my life. And what did I gain? Nothing. Even with a good job, I ended up spending everything on treatment. People began to see me as irresponsible. But now that I have stopped, look at me, I am healthy, confident, and doing well again,” he said.

Bature stressed that what many youths perceive as pleasure is actually self-destruction.


“I want to tell these young boys that what they call enjoyment is actually slow death. They need to stop before it destroys them completely. I am also calling on community leaders and stakeholders to come together and act. These youths have destroyed the good name of our community, and if nothing is done, even our toddlers will grow up thinking this behaviour is normal. The time to act is now,” he warned.

A pharmacist’s ruined life

A well-known pharmacist in the community, Allison, with regret, spoke about the personal and professional devastation caused by selling codeine syrup.

“This pharmacy wasn’t like this before. It used to be fully stocked; everything you needed was here. But everything changed when I started selling drugs, especially codeine. That was when things went wrong,” he said.

He recounted the repeated arrests and the public humiliation that followed, describing how each incident chipped away at both his reputation and livelihood.

“The NDLEA operatives have arrested me so many times that they got tired. They come here, embarrass me in front of everybody, take me away, and later release me. They have taken everything I worked for. My empty shop says it all. I have nothing left,” he said.

A resident, Tajudeen Alli, confirmed that Allison has now stopped selling and consuming codeine.


“I can assure you he no longer sells codeine. I don’t think he can ever try it again,” he said.

Recounting one terrifying raid by NDLEA operatives, he said, “I remember when the officers came to arrest him. They beat him like a child and dragged him away. When he was released that same day, his wife and children begged him to stop selling codeine. For now, he has stopped, and that is why we can sit with him. Back then, nobody dared sit here because if the agents came, they would arrest everyone.”

Wealthy customers fuel drug sales

Another drug vendor, who is disabled, told Sunday PUNCH that demand from wealthy buyers and poverty keep the drug trade alive.

“Drug selling cannot stop. Who will stop it? You? Let me tell you something, you see all these well-dressed people moving around in cars, they buy from us. I sell Colos, ice and gum for as little as N500. If you need it, I am available.

“There is no work. How do you expect me not to sell drugs? How will I feed my family? Government does not see us as humans. This is the only means to survive. Go to Akerele, small boys are selling drugs there,” he said.

Costly visit to Akerele


After speaking with the drug vendor, our correspondent set out to test the truth of his claims, slipping into Akerele under the guise of a buyer.

As he mingled, sliding through the alleys, one of the sellers casually signalled for him to follow, leading him through a maze of kiosks and dimly lit corners where deals were struck in murmurs.

He blended in, haggling as instructed and discreetly taking photographs. But the atmosphere shifted the moment a fresh group of dealers arrived.

Among them were faces from his past; long-lost acquaintances who knew him not as a customer, but as a journalist. In an instant, the atmosphere became charged.

They closed in. His phone was snatched from his hand, and they combed through it with practised aggression, deleting photographs and recordings one by one. Their eyes hardened as they questioned him, and the mood grew menacing.

Then came the ultimatum: buy drugs and pay heavily, or risk the consequences. Cornered and outnumbered, he was forced to part with over N50,000 before they agreed to release him.

One of the sellers, brimming with defiance, delivered a chilling warning: “If the government and police can’t stop us, who is a journalist? They didn’t give us jobs, and you’re here to write about us. Thank your God; we could have killed you, and nobody will find your body.”





•Colos in sachets
Overpopulation, poor family planning worsen social problems

A resident, Ajose Ibrahim, attributed the surge in drug abuse and violence in Agege to overpopulation, illiteracy, and poor family planning. He described the community as uniquely diverse yet heavily overcrowded.

“Agege is home to people from different backgrounds; you’ll find Yorubas, Hausas, Togolese, Ghanaians, Senegalese, and Malians here. It’s practically a mini Economic Community of West African States. In Isale Oja, however, Hausas are the largest group,” he said.

Ajose explained that overpopulation, poverty, religion, and ignorance among some residents have led families to have more children than they can care for.

“You will see an unemployed man struggling to feed himself and his family, yet he has 10 to 15 children. Some who earn less than N50,000 a month have up to 16 children. How can such a person properly take care of their children?” he asked.

Ajose also criticised some employed women who, despite earning an income, hand over their earnings to their husbands instead of prioritising the welfare of their children.


“It is even more disheartening that some working women give their little earnings to their husbands instead of using the money to properly care for their children,” he added.

Ajose called for stronger interventions from relevant authorities, including the NDLEA and the police.

“The NDLEA, the Police Area Commander, and the Divisional Police Officer need to do more. But as long as people continue to hide under religion to have more children than they can care for, drug abuse and violence will remain difficult to eradicate,” he said.

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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https://punchng.com/deadly-grip-lagos-community-where-youths-are-trapped-in-violent-drug-networks/

Power to the People.

After campaigning against Atiku, the same Bode George that said, Wike is part of the family.

Chairman of convention organising committee. Men are really low livered.

He survived many attacks, but shot dead today. He was here yesterday. Nobody knows the next victims.

Tinubu is in even afraid, despite all governors have decamped. Let me laugh ahead.

Wike and Fayose are gone for good.

What of the man that wanted to run and they prevented Lamido from purchasing form.

The wicked generations. Stealing to flex.

Power to the People. If GEJ is on the ballot, we shall be there.

We are here, USA here we come.

A man that lies brazenly in front of camera. He lied that he didn't call Yerima names. Men of failed integrity.

Nlfpmod, Dejobi was boasting that they can get anyone within hours, how come bandits are having free flow.

I watch as people defend their oppressors. No concrete plan, but many will still vote for them in the next election.

ISWAP has been so emboldened that they can wailed a whole General and killed soldiers. If we talk, they call us names.

Thank God for his mercy.

Ping pong affairs, interesting

Don't let them sacrifice your blood for their own gain.

MomohMrMoore:
I was on the road linking Meiran to command yesterday 14 Nov., 2025 it was an eyesore. Heaps of stinking refuse filled a well constructed road of around 4km length. The inhabitants just turned the whole length of the road to refuse place. The inhabitants should be held responsible. The Meiran to Ile-iwe axis road should be closed to motorists until the residents clean it off before opening it just as what is being done to dirty markets. It should be the same approach because as soon as lawma clear this refuse, another will surface within 2 days. The only solution is to close it for days. The residents will themselves act responsive and do the right thing

I think, there is a disconnect somewhere, PSP people are not picking refuse, Maryland, Surulere, Lekki, V/I, Ikeja. Drive round.

Condolences to his family, we are all a day less to vanities.

Nlfpmod, please who are those behind the killings.

Only testing the water.

Organising secretary of PDP.

People are denying that all these are not happening. Forgetting they or family can be the next victim, Nlfpmod. We are not ready to solve insecurity. Ndume said something valid, you can fill the gap.

Internet doesn't forget. My two kibo advise.

Put date and time or ask Robosky.