NDLEA Arrests 281 Illicit Drug Suspects In Rivers, Says Dealers using Minors For Distribution

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned parents to closely monitor their children following the discovery of a growing tactic by illicit drug dealers to recruit minors for the distribution of narcotics.

The State Commander of the Agency, Offor Kenneth, said some drug dealers were exploiting minors to evade prosecution, knowing that children involved in the illicit trade might not be subjected to the same legal consequences as adult offenders.

He said drug dealers typically exploited children between the ages of 12 and 16 for the distribution of illicit substances.

Offor urged parents and guardians to be vigilant about the company their children keep and their activities, warning that drug traffickers could take advantage of unsuspecting minors to expand their illegal businesses.

The NDLEA Commander in Rivers State also announced plans by the agency to intensify its crackdown on identified drug black spots across the State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the initiative was aimed at reducing the availability of illicit substances and preventing the attendant social consequences of drug abuse as political activities gather momentum.

Providing an account of the Command’s activities between July and October 2026, Commander Kenneth disclosed that the agency arrested 281 suspected drug offenders, comprising 238 males and 43 females.

He said the arrests were accompanied by the seizure of 316.152 kilogrammes of illicit substances, comprising 288.695 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs and 27.457 kilogrammes of psychotropic substances.

The commander further disclosed that the command filed 74 cases in court during the period and secured 54 convictions, while 276 cases remained pending.

He also expressed concern over the circulation of high-grade cannabis, tramadol and methamphetamine, popularly known as Mkpurumini, in Rivers State.

Beyond enforcement, the commander said the command is strengthening its rehabilitation, counselling and public enlightenment programmes to address the growing challenge of substance abuse.

He revealed that 17 persons were admitted into the agency’s rehabilitation facility during the period, while 143 others received brief intervention services, and another 277 persons underwent drug integrity tests.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to strengthening enforcement, rehabilitation, and public awareness efforts in the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse in Rivers State.