Bayelsa to demolish more structures linked to illicit drugs

Bayelsa State will carry out more demolitions of structures linked to drug peddling and other criminal activities, following the demolition of makeshift structures at Yenizue-Gene in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Governor Douye Diri gave terse message during the 42nd meeting of the state security council in Government House on Thursday, according to a statement by Daniel Alabrah, his chief press secretary.

Diri vowed to continuously clamp down on illicit drugs peddling and criminal activities in Yenagoa and other parts of the state.

The Aboki Quarters at Yenizue-Gene was already known as a hideout for criminal elements and drug peddlers before a combined team of security men demolished it last weekend.

The governor said he gave the directive for the demolition when the unwholesome activities in the area were brought to his attention and commended the service commanders for the swift operation.

He stated that he learnt from visiting the area that those displaced have moved to a location opposite the demolished site and directed the security agencies to beam their searchlight on the area.

Diri stressed that his administration would not encourage building of shanties where drugs are used to harm vulnerable youths and destroy their lives.

He said: “Let me use this opportunity to commend the service commanders for the operation at the illicit drug centre at Yenizue-Gene that was brought to my notice and I gave approval for that place to be brought down.

“The Commissioner of Police, the 16 Brigade Commander, the Director of the State Security Services and all of you that were involved in that operation, thank you.

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“I hear that there is a place opposite that particular point. I went there myself and I have seen it. You have to put your eyes there.

“We cannot continue to encourage shanties where drugs will be used in the state. So, please, service commanders take another look at that place where we have already taken action and ensure that we also bring it down.”

Diri made it clear that the government was not chasing non-natives out of the state by the demolition, emphasising that Bayelsa is one of the safest and most hospitable places in Nigeria for non-natives to live and do business.

He also directed that those responsible for three deaths in cult-related violence last Sunday at Igbogene axis of the capital be arrested and brought to justice.

Present at the meeting was the Deputy High Commissioner of the British High Commission, Gill Lever, who was in the state for an assessment of a British Government programme, Brighter Futures, a crime prevention outreach in partnership with the state government.

Lever said the visit was to brief the governor about the partnership in the last three years alongside three other states in the country.

She said the programme’s target was to curb cultism and illicit drugs at the grassroots as well as bringing vulnerable young people out of crime and equipping them with vocational skills to give them their own livelihood.

Lever commended the state government for prioritising security and youth empowerment, stating that more than 200 youths have been trained with vocational skills and equipped with the necessary tools to engage in self-reliant work.

The Commissioner for Youth Development, Alfred Nimizigha, whose ministry facilitates the programme on behalf of the state government, also praised the governor for adequately supporting the scheme and for surpassing the expectation of the British High Commission.

Nimizigha said the programme has focused on agriculture and skills development among youths of the state.

Meanwhile, some youths of Northern extraction have appreciated the demolition of the Aboki Quarters as it has saved some of them from unlawful arrest and intimidation by security agents.

A tricycle, who spoke on the development, said only a few of them are involved in the illicit drugs business, but all of them living in the place are seen as suspects.

He said the demolition would send a strong message “to our brothers. Everyone should go and hire house to stay.”