ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
The traditional ruler of Okpoama Kingdom in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, King Emmanuel Ebitimi Banigo, Okpoama XXI, has sanctioned the raid on outlets used for illicit drug business and consumption.
The monarch also directed the flogging of youths that were indecently dressed in the area.
The community youths and chiefs led by the Chairman of the Chiefs’ Council, Chief Inikio Sam Sele-Dede, while carrying out the directive of the monarch, demolished 14 drug peddling outlets.
They also seized illicit drugs such as cannabis, benzos, cocaine, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) and codeine that were found in the places they raided.
It was learnt that the decision to move against the illicit drug spots in the community was because of the rising drug use among youths in the community with tendencies to cause violence and dress shabbily.
It was further learnt that the raid was welcomed with jubilation by the community folks who joined the team to effect the demolition of the illicit drug spots.
A community source, who craved anonymity, said that scores of youths with strange hair cuts and sagging trousers were apprehended, flogged and their hair shaved in public.
Speaking after the raid, Chief Sele-Dede said Okpoama forbids drug peddling and consumption.
He said that anybody caught would be handed over to the relevant law enforcement agencies for prosecution.
He commended the resilience and commitment of the people of the community in checking drug peddling and consumption, and called on hard drug dealers to keep off the community.
