The level of resistance encountered by officers of the Nigeria Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in their efforts to stop the scourge of illicit drug abuse and addiction, by youths in communities and cities particularly in Bayelsa and across the country has become worrisome.
Available statistics by the agency showed that about 14.3 million Nigerians have become drug addicts. Also, Bayelsa State has reportedly recorded an upward swing of about five per cent in 2018 to the current 15 per cent of drug abuse in the state which has earned the one state “the unenviable position” of being the third highest in the drug abuse rating of the country.
Concerned over the trend of continuous clash in resistance of arrest of drug dealers, opinion leaders have wondered why the youths who are supposed to be the advocates of peaceful society and hope of the future will take laws into their hands by aiding and abetting the commission of drug crimes, which is the bane of our insecurity problems, and obstructing the arrest of a suspect.
On March 15, 2024, operatives of the NDLEA clashed with some suspected members of cult groups and youths of Yenizue-Epie community in Yenagoa local government area of the state, during a raid to arrest a notorious female drug dealer known as Rebecca. The officers were allegedly attacked by the youths, seized drug exhibits recovered and freed the said Rebecca, which resulted to the death of a youth identified as Moses Akande.
Also, on August 28, 2024, NDLEA officers were attacked in Oruma community in Ogbia local government area, after the officers had arrested a suspected drug dealer and his sales boy. While they were trying to leave, the youths resisted and there was a clash which led to injury of four persons in the community, including officers of the NDLEA.
According to the Youth President of Oruma community, Mr. Joshua Inebika-emi, he said the youths in the community only requested to know why the accused was arrested without any form of notice from the community leaders.
He explained that Oruma community has over the years condemned drug dealers that there is law in the community not allowing anyone to smoke not to talk of hard drugs describing the act as unprofessional and barbaric.
Reacting in a statement, the State Commander NDLEA Bayelsa State, Kanu S. Chukwuemeka, CN, said that what Mr. Inebika-emi, failed to tell the public is that suspected drug dealers and criminals taking refuge is his community in the numbers attacked NDLEA officers after the officers had successfully arrested the suspects.
“The irate indigenes of Oruma community blocked the bridge to the community, overpowered the advance team of officers, collected a pistol loaded with rounds of 9mm live ammunition, freed the two suspects and seized the exhibits recovered and equally vandalize the Restoration Taxi with Reg. No: BYS 060 TR given to the command by Bayelsa State government. They shot and stabbed the NDLEA officers. It was when they sighted the NDLEA back up Tactical team that they started running away and that saved what could have been more fatal”, he said.
