A tragic social media post by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, has once again exposed a deadly but growing trend among Nigerian youths: the misuse of prescription drugs driven by misinformation, peer pressure, and a dangerous obsession with body image.
At the center of the incident is a 15-year-old boy who reportedly swallowed 15 tablets of Dexamethasone at once, believing the steroid would help him “gain weight” and “eat more.” Days later, he fell critically ill. Before his death, he was allegedly pressured by a friend to conceal the overdose. Four days later, the boy died.
What began as a misguided attempt to alter body size has now sparked a national conversation about drug misuse, regulation gaps, and the influence of social myths among teenagers.
Confession of 15-Year-Old Suspect
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, expressed deep sadness over the tragic loss of a young life. Edafe, who spoke during the interrogation of a 15-year-old suspect, identified as Destiny Agbofure, described the incident as a painful waste of a 15-year-old boy’s life, attributing the death to drug abuse and misinformation among youths.
Responding to questions, Agbofure said the drug involved was Dexamethasone, although he initially referred to it as “Ciplon,” admitting that he and his friend did not fully understand what the medicine was.
He explained that they were told the drug could help them gain weight, eat more, and sleep better, which influenced their decision to take it.
Destiny revealed that he obtained the drug from an unknown individual, describing the person vaguely as someone from Yoruba, though he could not provide specific details about the person or location.
When asked about his involvement, he admitted that he had taken four tablets himself and had given the same drug to his friend.
According to him, his friend later took a large quantity of the drug, consuming about 20 tablets at once, which led to severe health complications.
Destiny further confessed that after his friend began to feel ill, he advised him to keep quiet about what he had taken and not disclose the overdose to anyone.
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However, as the boy’s condition worsened, he eventually revealed the truth, stating that he had taken the tablets from his friend.
He said the deceased first became sick on March 20 after taking the drug and continued to deteriorate until March 24, when he finally admitted to the overdose.
By that time, it was too late, and the boy later died, leaving behind a tragic reminder of the dangers of drug misuse.
During the interview, SP Bright Edafe emphasised that the incident is a clear case of drug abuse, explaining that even medications like paracetamol can be dangerous when misused, as they can harm vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, and liver.
He stressed that Dexamethasone, although not a controlled or hard drug, is a powerful medication that must only be taken under strict medical supervision.
SP Edafe also questioned the circumstances that led a 15-year-old to seek out another teenager for medication to gain weight, describing the situation as a serious issue of poor awareness and orientation among young people.
The officer noted that the law may still hold individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of age, particularly in cases that result in harm or death. SP Bright Edafe further stated that, “depending on the circumstances and the outcome of investigations, individuals involved in the incident could face legal consequences, noting that even minors may be held accountable under the law, with potential penalties including up to seven years if found culpable”.
He further identified the deceased as Gift, a 15-year-old boy whose life was cut short due to a preventable mistake.
Concluding the interview, SP Edafe urged parents, guardians, and society at large to pay closer attention to children, stressing the need for proper guidance, education, and awareness to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
A very sad case of a 15 year old boy who took sachets of Dexamethazone tablets, and swallowed 15 tablets at a go. Asked why they were taking the drugs, his friend whom he collected the drug from said, they were taking it to make them fat and eat more. Now the 15year old boy fell… pic.twitter.com/TnncuRCC5j
— SP Bright Edafe (@Brightgoldenboy) April 2, 2026
THE DEADLY MYTH: “Dexamethasone MAKES YOU FAT”
The drug at the center of the tragedy, Dexamethasone, is a potent corticosteroid used strictly under medical supervision to treat conditions such as inflammation, allergies, and autoimmune disorders.
However, among some Nigerian youths, it has gained a dangerous reputation as a “quick weight gain solution.”
Reacting to the incident, a pharmacist and public health advocate, Pharm. Greatman described how he once encountered similar misconceptions.
According to him, the idea that Dexamethasone promotes healthy weight gain is false and harmful.
“Dexamethasone is not a safe weight gain drug; the ‘weight’ it adds is mostly water and fat, not healthy body strength.”
He explained that misuse of the drug can lead to severe health complications, including Cushing’s syndrome-like symptoms such as a puffy face and abdominal swelling, diabetes mellitus due to elevated blood sugar, a weakened immune system that increases the risk of infections, hormonal imbalance where the body stops producing natural steroids, and a risk of collapse if the drug is stopped abruptly, stressing that swallowing 15–20 tablets at once is extremely dangerous and requires urgent medical intervention.
A Silent Epidemic: Misuse of Prescription Drugs
Medical experts warn that the incident is not isolated.
Across Nigeria, especially among teenagers and young adults, prescription drugs are increasingly being misused for non-medical purposes ranging from weight gain to sedation and performance enhancement.
The tragedy highlights three dangerous trends:
1. Peer Influence Over Medical Knowledge
The deceased reportedly took the tablets after being influenced by a friend. This reflects how peer pressure often overrides basic health knowledge among adolescents.
2. Access to Prescription Drugs Without Proper Regulation
Questions are now being raised about how minors accessed such a powerful medication without a prescription or professional guidance.
3. Lack of Awareness and Drug Education
Many young people lack proper education about drugs, leading them to rely on social media myths rather than medical facts.
The Law and The Question of Responsibility
The incident has also sparked debate online about legal accountability.
A social media user identified as @iam_wvddy (shinaaa) reacted, stating that the boy who allegedly shared the tablets should not be charged, arguing that he did not administer the drug and was unaware of the overdose at the time, reflecting the debate over responsibility in the incident.
REDA LASO:
Another user, @mooosaic (moosaic), emphasized that based on the available information, the victim took the medication voluntarily, arguing that this falls under personal responsibility, while also calling for careful investigation before assigning blame. @MrNonsense111 (Broda Ogbon) and @calixlogistics (Calix Logistics & Services Limited) both urged careful investigation and distinction of facts, with Calix Logistics adding that authorities should correctly identify the misuse of medication rather than generalizing it as drug abuse.
Pharm. Nobleman (@PatrickEnweluz1) criticised the lack of strict pharmaceutical regulation, arguing that in a properly regulated system, only licensed pharmacists should handle such medications, noting that lax control contributes to misuse. @saintdominik (Domingo) called for broader action beyond arrests, urging authorities to intensify drug awareness campaigns in schools and communities to prevent youths from falling victim to dangerous myths about drugs. @OweiAlfred (Oweicorp) emphasized that responsibility should extend to those who sold or distributed the drug, arguing that selling medication to minors without proper supervision contributes to such tragedies. @MrTee (fraysexuall) described the incident as part of a wider issue involving drug misuse, noting that certain medications are being abused and suggesting stricter control measures for drugs with high potential for misuse. @ctsar_ct (CT HNIC) highlighted that Dexamethasone is a prescription medication used for treating medical conditions and warned that misuse, especially for weight gain, is dangerous and can lead to severe health consequences.
@kelvinonos (KIO) expressed grief over the boy’s death and called for divine intervention and accountability, reflecting the emotional impact the tragedy has had on the public.
The police, however, have not publicly detailed any charges but are likely to treat the case as part of a broader investigation into drug distribution and misuse among minors.
The Cost of a Single Myth
Pharm. Greatman further reiterated that taking 15–20 tablets of Dexamethasone at once is extremely dangerous, as it can lead to severe complications such as very high blood sugar, confusion, and potential internal damage, stressing that early hospital intervention could have saved the boy’s life.
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Health professionals say this case underscores how a single dangerous belief that a drug can safely alter body size can lead to irreversible consequences.
The pharmacist emphasized, “If you want to gain weight, focus on food, rest, and exercise. Abusing this drug can harm you instead of helping you.”
Call For Action: Preventing Future Tragedies
The incident has renewed urgent calls for action across multiple sectors, as this tragic case underscores how misinformation among young people can lead to fatal consequences, particularly when they rely on peer advice instead of professional medical guidance, making drug education a critical necessity in today’s society. The death of the 15-year-old boy stands as a wake-up call to parents, schools, healthcare professionals, and authorities to intensify awareness, strengthen regulation of drug access, and educate young people on the dangers of drug misuse, because a single wrong belief can cost a life.
For Government and Regulators:
There is a need for stricter control over the sale of prescription drugs, stronger enforcement of laws against selling to minors, and closer monitoring of pharmacies and patent medicine outlets to prevent abuse.
For Schools and Parents:
Authorities are urged to introduce comprehensive drug education in schools, encourage open conversations about body image and health, and ensure closer monitoring of children’s social interactions to curb negative peer influence.
For Health Authorities and Security Agencies:
Experts recommend intensified community sensitization campaigns, expanded school outreach programmes, and stronger collaboration between police and health professionals to address drug misuse and prevent further tragedies.
A Generation At Risk
Social media reactions to the tragedy reveal a nation divided between grief, anger, and urgency. While some users called for justice and accountability, others emphasised the need for education and prevention over punishment, pointing to a deeper concern: a generation growing up with easy access to misinformation but limited access to proper guidance.
The death of the 15-year-old boy is more than a personal tragedy; it is a warning about unchecked drug access, misinformation spreading faster than truth, and a warning about a generation navigating health choices without adequate guidance.
Until Nigeria bridges the gap between medical knowledge and youth awareness, more young lives may continue to be lost not to disease, but to dangerous myths.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
