There is no more hiding place for illicit drug dealers in Ogobiri Federated Community, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
This is as community leaders and stakeholders have declared total war on hard drugs, banning their sale, distribution and consumption.
The tough stance was contained in a communique issued after a crucial leadership and stakeholders meeting held on August 22, 2026, over the rising drug scourge.
The leaders lamented that sale and consumption of hard drugs like cannabis, cocaine, codeine, tramadol and ice, popularly known as mkpurummiri, has become unbearable.
They said the menace has led to untimely death of youths, madness, public nudity, violence, school dropouts, disrespect to parents and collapse of family values.
Worried by the development, the community said it can no longer fold its arms while the future of its youths is destroyed.
In the communique jointly signed by the Paramount Ruler, HRH Chief Samuel Yekwe, CDC Chairman, Hon. Oliver Mounkurai C., Youth President, Comrade Mounkurai O. Governor and quarter chiefs, the community issued a seven-day ultimatum to all drug dealers to quit or face the music.
The communique reads in part: “We condemn in strong terms and in totality the sale, distribution and consumption of all forms of illicit drugs within Ogobiri Federated Community. Any person involved in the sale and distribution of the aforementioned drugs is hereby given seven days ultimatum from the date of this publication to cease or face communal and legal actions.”
To enforce the ban, the community has mandated its vigilante group to fish out dealers and users and hand them over to security agencies.
It also charged parents and guardians to watch over their children and wards, warning that any household shielding drug dealers would be sanctioned.
The community vowed to collaborate with security agencies to ensure arrest and prosecution of offenders, insisting that no one is above the law.
As part of preventive measures, the Paramount Ruler, CDC and Youth Executive Council will embark on regular sensitization in churches, schools and town halls on the dangers of drug abuse.
The community further resolved to work with government agencies, NGOs and religious organisations to counsel and rehabilitate repentant youths.
“Ogobiri Federated Community shall no longer tolerate the destruction of the future of our youths with illicit drugs. We stand united to maintain the peace enjoyed by our people. Any person or group who flouts this resolution shall face the full wrath of community sanctions and the law,” the communique declared.
