NDLEA ARRESTS 620 SUSPECTS, SEIZES 478 KILOGRAMS OF ILLICIT DRUGS IN BAYELSA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Bayelsa state Command says it arrested 620 suspects and seized nearly 478 kilograms of illicit drugs and narcotics between June 2025 and June 2026.

Mr. Kanu Chukwuemeka, Commander of Narcotics, Bayelsa State Command, disclosed this in Yenagoa during a press briefing on Thursday to mark the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

He said the arrests involved 429 males and 191 females, while the command also confiscated 52,740 psychotropic tablets and capsules, 1,152 ampoules of injectable substances, 208 bottles of codeine syrup and over 437 litres of cannabis-infused alcohol known as monkey-tail.

Mr. Chukwuemeka noted that drug abuse remains prevalent among young men aged 21 to 25 and is increasingly linked to cult-related violence, school dropouts and other criminal activities.

He also identified the growing consumption of monkey-tail as a major concern, warning that the substance poses serious health risks because it is cheap and easily accessible.

The NDLEA boss further revealed that traffickers are increasingly using waterways and motorcycles, particularly dispatch riders, to evade security agencies. He added that the command conducted 591 drug tests, admitted 29 persons for treatment and rehabilitation, secured 17 convictions and currently has 62 drug-related cases pending in court.

The commander said the agency has adopted intelligence-driven operations targeting major drug syndicates, while also carrying out sensitisation campaigns in more than 40 schools and 30 communities across the state.

He urged parents to watch for signs of drug abuse among their children and warned traffickers that Bayelsa State will not be a safe haven for illicit drug activities.

Before the press briefing, the Bayelsa State Command of the NDLEA, alongside representative of sister security agencies including the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and Nigeria Immigration Service, as well as non-governmental organisations, secondary school students and members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC held a road walk from Kpansia School Field to the Peace Park in Yenagoa to sensitise the public on the dangers of drug abuse.

Reported by Bright Okpo