NDLEA expresses worry over mob confrontation in Bayelsa

From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has expressed worry over continuous mob confrontation against its men in Bayelsa State.

The NDLEA, Bayelsa State Command noted that suspected cultists in the state usually spearhead the mob confrontation.

NDLEA Bayelsa State Commander, Kanu Sunny Chukwuemeka who disclosed this in an interview as part of activities marking the United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse with the theme: The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention, seized the opportunity to appeal to parents and guardians to caution their children and allow NDLEA do its job without hindrance.

“This is Niger Delta, Bayelsa to be specific. The major problem we are facing in this state is mob confrontation spearheaded by suspected cultists. On some occasions, they have confronted our men from embarking on their operations. At times they use locally made pistols to attack them. I

“n one of the operations, we arrested one of them with two Cartridges and a pistol. We have handed him over to the Nigeria Police. So, youth confrontation is a major challenge. I use this opportunity to tell parents and guardians to talk to the children and wards that we in NDLEA are government officials, not armed robbers. Once they see our men on assignment, they should steer clear till they complete their assignment,’’ he said.

Chukwuemeka also noted the riverine nature of Bayelsa makes it difficult for the agency to access major coastal communities where drug and substance abuse are prevalent, without the use of a gunboat.

The Commander reiterated that NDLEA Bayelsa is alive to its responsibilities, stating that between January to date, 155 suspects comprising 110 males and 45 females have been arrested, while 97.82kgs drugs have been seized.

He also explained that the Command has admitted 14 young people for in-patient drug rehabilitation, out of six have already been discharged and 107 clients have had counselling sessions at the Command.

Also included as part of the achievements from January to date is the conduct of an Integrity Drug Test on 100 persons for early prevention.

Chukuemeka while commending Governor Douye Diri for his support in the fight against drug abuse in the state, appealed to stakeholders to join the agency in its efforts to curb the drug menace.

‘’The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is the lead agency in the war against illicit substance abuse and trafficking. However, the agency cannot win this war alone.

“It is up to all and sundry, individuals, state government, non-governmental organisations, schools, religious bodies, sister security agencies, and especially the media to team up with us to raise awareness and share substantial information on the cancerous menace of the spectre of illicit substance abuse and trafficking to our families, immediate environment and the nation at large.’’