Why Security Operatives Stormed ‘Desert’ Drug Haven, Arrested 25 Suspects – NDLEA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says security agencies carried out a major operation to dislodge drug dealers and criminal elements from the forest adjacent to Coal Beach, popularly known as ‘Desert’, as well as G-Unit area by Sandfield Road, both in Bonny Island, Rivers State.

In an interview with Kristina Reports after the operation, Area Commander of the NDLEA in Bonny LGA, John David, an Assistant Commander of Narcotics, described the raid as long overdue.

“I’d wanted doing this operation before now but as a result of logistics, manpower and what have you, it was delayed. Luckily enough for me, all the security agencies were really willing and ready to assist because the issue of drugs is everybody’s business,” he said.

He disclosed that about 25 suspects, mostly drug users, were arrested during the operation, though no exhibits were recovered as the dealers had fled before the security operatives arrived the area, explaining that intelligence reports identified a location called the “Desert” as a hub for drug activities and criminal gangs.

“The ‘Desert’ is like a haven of drug activities where criminal elements converge. Those could be pirates, vandals, cultists… because it’s like a little mini forest with easy access in and out.”

“Drug activities are high there and it serves as the supply point for the Hausa area known as Gun,” David said.

“In that terrain, there’s no way you will come and find people with exhibits. The moment they see you, the main suspects take off. The only people we got are probably the users, and most of them are junkies.

“They even live there after taking drugs. But good enough, we’ve destroyed all the tents that were there,” he explained.

The NDLEA commander emphasized that the goal was not only to arrest suspects but to disrupt the drug network, calling on the Bonny Local Government chairman to urgently sanitize the area to prevent criminals from regrouping.

“The main thing was not really to arrest but to dislodge them and for the local government to take over the place to make it not convenient or comfortable for them,” he said.

“If the chairman can clear the little forest there, the place will not be convenient for any form of criminality, and that will go a long way in helping the island,” he noted.

He also expressed concern over the absence of rehabilitation facilities on the island, urging families not to hide cases of drug abuse out of fear of stigma but bring such victims to the Agency for help.

“We actually want to rehabilitate people here, but I don’t have the facility. Even the office environment is not enough. Most times we just do counselling, maybe admonishment, and they go back.”

“If we had a rehabilitation center here, we could keep people for weeks or months and properly help them,” he said.

“It is not love when you see your child involving himself in drug activities and you want to keep it secret. The moment you notice a change, bring the matter to us. We will assist,” he advised.

He linked the operation to the Federal Government’s War Against Drug Abuse initiative, led by NDLEA Chairman, retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, adding that collective effort was key to winning the war on drugs.

“The government alone cannot do it. Stakeholders, multinationals, religious leaders, women leaders, school principals, market associations, should come in one way or the other to assist. Even inviting us to talk to your workforce or congregation helps spread the message,” David said.

“The federal government itself knows it cannot provide all it takes for NDLEA to sensitize people. Depending on the peculiarity of each environment, stakeholders should come in and assist,” he said.