By Francis Sadhere, Warri
Residents of Afiesere community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday staged a peaceful protest against the rising wave of drug abuse and peddling in the area, calling on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to urgently intervene.
The demonstrators, made up of men, women, and youths, carried placards and blocked parts of the road leading into the community to draw attention to what they described as a “growing epidemic” destroying the lives of their young people.
Speaking during the protest, President General of Afiesere community, Chief Luke Umukoro, lamented that the community had lost over 20 youths to drug abuse in recent years, with several others currently undergoing rehabilitation in healing homes.
“We are after those taking and selling hard drugs, and once we catch you, you will face the full wrath of the law. There will be no mercy,” Umukoro warned.
He accused past NDLEA operatives assigned to the area of being compromised and appealed to the agency’s chairman to deploy “reputable personnel” who would work sincerely with the community to eradicate drug trafficking.
According to him, the community has the backing of the monarch of Ughelli Kingdom and is fully determined to reclaim its youths from the grip of drug abuse. He further cautioned residents against shielding offenders, insisting that anyone who conceals information about drug users or dealers would also face communal sanctions.
Also speaking, the community’s Youth Chairman decried the devastating impact of drug abuse on young people in Afiesere.
“Enough is enough. Our youths are wasting away, and we cannot fold our arms anymore. We will fish out both sellers and users,” he declared.
Other speakers at the protest vowed to partner with NDLEA, security agencies, and the local government to flush out drug peddlers from the community. While stressing that drug dealers must face the law, they also disclosed plans to adopt communal disciplinary measures, including flogging offenders.
The protest underscores growing anxiety across communities in Delta State over the menace of illicit drug use and the urgent need for stronger enforcement measures to safeguard the future of young people.
Residents of Afiesere community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday staged a peaceful protest against the rising wave of drug abuse and peddling in the area, calling on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to urgently intervene.
The demonstrators, made up of men, women, and youths, carried placards and blocked parts of the road leading into the community to draw attention to what they described as a “growing epidemic” destroying the lives of their young people.
Speaking during the protest, President General of Afiesere community, Chief Luke Umukoro, lamented that the community had lost over 20 youths to drug abuse in recent years, with several others currently undergoing rehabilitation in healing homes.
“We are after those taking and selling hard drugs, and once we catch you, you will face the full wrath of the law. There will be no mercy,” Umukoro warned.
He accused past NDLEA operatives assigned to the area of being compromised and appealed to the agency’s chairman to deploy “reputable personnel” who would work sincerely with the community to eradicate drug trafficking.
According to him, the community has the backing of the monarch of Ughelli Kingdom and is fully determined to reclaim its youths from the grip of drug abuse. He further cautioned residents against shielding offenders, insisting that anyone who conceals information about drug users or dealers would also face communal sanctions.
Also speaking, the community’s Youth Chairman decried the devastating impact of drug abuse on young people in Afiesere.
“Enough is enough. Our youths are wasting away, and we cannot fold our arms anymore. We will fish out both sellers and users,” he declared.
Other speakers at the protest vowed to partner with NDLEA, security agencies, and the local government to flush out drug peddlers from the community. While stressing that drug dealers must face the law, they also disclosed plans to adopt communal disciplinary measures, including flogging offenders.
The protest underscores growing anxiety across communities in Delta State over the menace of illicit drug use and the urgent need for stronger enforcement measures to safeguard the future of young people.
