Gokana Council Launches Anti-drug Sensitisation Tour, Vows Crackdown on Offenders

The Gokana Local Government Council in Rivers State has commenced a wide-reaching sensitisation campaign aimed at curbing the rising menace of illicit drug use, sales, and addiction among youths, with Day One of the exercise recording significant engagement across Bodo City, Gbe, Mogho, and Kpor communities.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Chairman of Gokana Local Government Area, Confidence Deko is part of a broader strategy to safeguard the future of young people in the area and stem the tide of substance abuse, which stakeholders say poses a serious threat not only to Gokana but to communities across Africa.

Addressing residents during the sensitisation tour, Deko underscored the urgent need for collective action against drug abuse, warning that no responsible government would stand by while its future leaders are destroyed by harmful substances. He urged youths to abandon drug-related activities and instead embrace productive ventures, particularly skills acquisition programmes soon to be introduced by the council.

“The future of our youths must be protected. Drug abuse brings nothing but shame, shattered dreams, and lifelong regret. We are offering a chance for repentance, but we will not hesitate to act decisively against those who refuse to change,” he stated.

The Chairman emphasised that while the sensitisation tour provides an opportunity for offenders to turn a new leaf, the council remains resolute in enforcing a total clampdown on drug dealers, peddlers, and users who ignore the warning.

Also speaking during the tour, the Ogoni Area Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Umoh Friday, commended the council for taking proactive steps to address the crisis. He called on youths to steer clear of drugs and urged community members to collaborate with authorities in eliminating the menace.

“The fight against drug abuse requires collective responsibility. Communities must support enforcement efforts to ensure lasting success,” he said.

In his remarks, the President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Gokana Chapter, Kpalap Barinaadaa, appealed to young people to reject drug use and other social vices, stressing the importance of making choices that secure a brighter future. He pledged the council’s full support for the initiative and its zero-tolerance stance on drug-related offences.

The sensitisation tour also addressed other pressing issues, including the ban on scrap business within the local government area, which authorities say is linked to rising insecurity.
The exercise witnessed the presence of key security agencies, including officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Police Force, the Joint Task Force (JTF), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Octopus Strike Force, reflecting a coordinated approach to enforcement and community safety.

Meanwhile, the council has announced that the sensitisation campaign will continue on Day Two, with visits scheduled for Lewe, Bomu, B-Dere, and K-Dere communities.
Residents have been urged to heed the campaign’s message and support efforts to rid Gokana of illicit drugs.