The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Bayelsa State has announced the arrest of 600 suspected drug offenders and the seizure of 621.556 kilogrammes of illicit substances between January and December 2025.
The State Commander, Kanu Chukwuemeka, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Yenagoa.
According to him, the suspects comprised 407 males and 193 females, apprehended during a series of undercover operations, motorised patrols, and coordinated raids targeting drug joints, hotels, bars, shops, and transport routes linked to trafficking.
“The command in the year under review embarked on a series of undercover operations, motorised patrols, and raids as efforts aimed at cutting down supply and reducing demand for drugs,” he said, adding that the total weight of seized drugs stood at 621.556 kilogrammes.
Chukwuemeka further revealed that officers confiscated 51,445 tablets and capsules, 658 injection ampoules, and 224 bottles of codeine-containing psychotropic substances and opioids.
He noted that a mixture of cannabis sativa and alcohol commonly referred to as monkey tail, koskorin, or wisdom wine remained the most widely abused substance in the state. According to him, authorities seized 435.055 litres of the mixture, weighing 365.53 kilogrammes, making it the most prevalent substance abused in Bayelsa throughout 2025.
The commander also disclosed that individuals aged between 21 and 25 formed the largest group of drug users identified, while the estimated street value of confiscated substances exceeded ₦64.7 million.
In terms of location, Yenagoa recorded the highest number of arrests with 407 suspects, followed by Ogbia Local Government Area with 79.
On prosecution efforts, Chukwuemeka said 20 cases were filed at the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, resulting in eight convictions, while three were struck out and one withdrawn.
He added that 621 persons were referred for counselling, 34 clients completed rehabilitation programmes successfully, and 671 drug integrity tests were conducted for students and residents.
Expressing concern over the increasing use of cannabis mixtures, he said more residents were failing drug integrity tests due to abuse of cannabis combined with alcohol.
The NDLEA commander called on the state government and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration with the agency in tackling substance abuse and trafficking across the state.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
No comments:
Post a Comment