June 25, (THEWILL) – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Yenagoa Command, says it has arrested 155 suspects in Bayelsa state for various illicit drug offences.
The Bayelsa state, NDLEA Commander, Kanu Sunny Chukwuemeka, CN, stated this while speaking to journalists against the backdrop of the activities marking the 2024 United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit trafficking, with this year’s theme “The evidence is clear: Invest in Prevention.”
According to him, the command has equally made seizures of 97.826 kgs. He said the arrested suspects include; 110 males and 45 females totalling 155 suspects.
He further reiterated the importance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit trafficking is marked globally on 26th June every year to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drugs, adding that this year’s theme is aimed at clearing doubts that prevention does not work, as the saying goes that “prevention is not only better than cure, but it is also cheaper than cure.”
He lamented the incessant attacks on the command’s personnel and lack of a marine unit and gunboats to fight the war against drug abuse and Illicit trafficking on the coast where there is the preponderance of suspects, who hide under the inaccessibility of the coastal communities to perpetrate the crime.
“Lagos state as a state with coastal communities has a full-fledged Marine unit with gunboats, Bayelsa being with riverine coastal communities also deserved a marine unit and gunboats, this we have been clamouring for.”
“Our men are always attacked while on duties by youths, though this has constituted a challenge, but has not deterred them from performing their duties.”
On strides achieved by the command, the command under his leadership has admitted 14 youths for in-patient drug rehabilitation out of which six out of this number have been rehabilitated and discharged. During the brief intervention counselling cases, the command has counselled 107 clients, 76 males and 31 females.
Besides, the command has taken the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through drug sensitisation to communities, schools, churches, motor parks, markets and radio stations thus reaching out to every soul in Bayelsa State.
The command has also carried out integrity drug tests and it is for early detection and prevention and even treatment of substance abuse. We have successfully carried out this test on over 100 persons in the state from January to date.
Goodwill messages against drug abuse and Illicit trafficking were given by Dr (Mrs) Grace Scent of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) Bayelsa State branch amongst others.
About the Author
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
