NDLEA RECORDS 600 ARRESTS, SEIZES 621KG OF DRUGS IN BAYELSA 2025 CRACKDOWN

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By: Muftau Fatimo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Bayelsa State reported that it apprehended 600 suspected drug offenders and confiscated 621.55 kilograms of illegal substances between January and December 2025.

State Commander Kanu Sunny Chukwuemeka made the disclosure on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Yenagoa.

Chukwuemeka stated that the suspects included 407 men and 193 women. He added that the arrests resulted from undercover operations, patrols, and raids on drug dens, hotels, bars, shops, and transportation routes associated with drug trafficking.

He further explained, “During the year under review, the command conducted a series of undercover operations, motorized patrols, and raids as part of efforts to curb the supply of drugs and reduce demand

“The breakdown is as follows: number of male suspects — 407; number of female suspects — 193; total number of persons arrested — 600. The total weight of drugs seized is 621.556 kilogrammes.”

Chukwuemeka added that the agency confiscated 51,445 tablets and capsules, 658 injection ampoules, and 224 bottles of codeine containing psychotropic substances and opioids.

He noted that a combined mixture of cannabis sativa and alcohol, popularly known as monkey tail, koskorin, or wisdom wine, remained the most commonly abused substance in the state.

“A combined mixture of cannabis sativa and alcohol measuring 435.055 litres and weighing 365.53 kilogrammes is the most prevalent substance abused in Bayelsa State in 2025,” he said.

The commander revealed that young people aged 21 to 25 constituted the largest group of drug abusers, with the estimated street value of the seized drugs exceeding N64.7 million.

He noted that Yenagoa recorded the highest number of arrests with 407 suspects, followed by Ogbia Local Government Area with 79.

Regarding prosecutions, Chukwuemeka said 20 cases were filed at the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, leading to eight convictions, three cases being struck out, and one withdrawn.

He added that 621 individuals were referred for counselling, 34 clients successfully completed rehabilitation, and 671 drug integrity tests were conducted among students and other residents.

Expressing concern over the increasing abuse of cannabis mixtures, he stated, “More Bayelsans are failing the Drug Integrity Test due to their consumption of cannabis sativa mixed with alcohol, commonly known as monkey tail or koskorin.”

Chukwuemeka urged the state government and stakeholders to enhance collaboration with the agency to tackle substance abuse throughout Bayelsa State.