'Monkey Tail' Crisis: NDLEA Reveals Youths Aged 21-25 Are Highest Drug Abuser
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The State Commander, Kanu Sunny Chukwuemeka, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Yenagoa, noting that individuals within the 21–25 age bracket formed the highest group of drug abusers recorded during the period under review.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Bayelsa State has expressed concern over the rising involvement of young adults aged 21 to 25 in drug abuse.
The warning comes after the agency arrested 600 suspected drug offenders and seized 621.55 kilograms of illicit substances between January and December 2025
The State Commander, Kanu Sunny Chukwuemeka, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Yenagoa, noting that individuals within the 21–25 age bracket formed the highest group of drug abusers recorded during the period under review.
Chukwuemeka said the suspects comprised 407 males and 193 females, adding that the arrests were made during undercover operations, patrols and raids of drug joints, hotels, bars, shops, and transport routes linked to drug trafficking.
He said, “The command in the year under review embarked on a series of undercover operations, motorised patrols, and raids as efforts aimed at cutting down the supply and reducing the demand for drugs."
Providing a breakdown of the arrests and seizures, he added: “A breakdown is as follows: number of male suspects — 407; number of female suspects — 193; total number of persons arrested — 600. The total weight of drugs seized is 621.556 kilogrammes.”
The commander disclosed that the agency confiscated 51,445 tablets and capsules, 658 injection ampoules, and 224 bottles of codeine containing psychotropic substances and opioids.
He noted that a combined mixture of cannabis sativa and alcohol, popularly known as monkey tail, koskorin, or wisdom wine, remained the most commonly abused substance in the state, particularly among young adults.
“A combined mixture of cannabis sativa and alcohol measuring 435.055 litres and weighing 365.53 kilogrammes is the most prevalent substance abused in Bayelsa State in 2025,” he said.
According to him, the estimated street value of the seized drugs stood at over N64.7 million, underscoring the scale of trafficking and abuse within the state.
Geographically, Yenagoa recorded the highest number of arrests with 407 suspects, followed by Ogbia Local Government Area with 79, reflecting areas with heightened enforcement activities.
On prosecution efforts, Chukwuemeka said 20 cases were filed at the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, resulting in eight convictions, while three were struck out and one withdrawn.
Beyond arrests, the NDLEA intensified preventive measures, referring 621 persons for counselling, successfully rehabilitating 34 clients, and conducting 671 drug integrity tests for students and other residents.
Lamenting the rising abuse of cannabis mixtures among youths, the commander said, “More Bayelsans are failing the Drug Integrity Test due to their abuse of cannabis sativa mixed with alcohol, popularly known as monkey tail or koskorin.”
He stressed that the trend among persons aged 21 to 25 remains a major concern for the agency, warning that sustained abuse within this productive age group poses significant social and economic risks to the state.
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