World Drug Day: 15 Suspects, Including Nursing Mother, Arrested in Damongo Anti-Narcotics Raid
Arrests made in cemeteries, abandoned buildings, and farmlands during joint security operation
- 15 arrested, including a teenage nursing mother
- Operation carried out on World Drug Day by police and sister security agencies
- Regional Minister vows crackdown will extend across all seven districts
In a sweeping anti-drug operation coinciding with World Drug Day (June 25), security forces in Damongo, the capital of the Savannah Region, have arrested 15 individuals, including a teenage nursing mother and another female suspect, for allegedly peddling and using illicit drugs.
The joint operation, led by the Savannah Regional Police Command in collaboration with sister security agencies, targeted known drug hotspots including cemeteries, abandoned structures, private residences, and farmlands.
The suspects, aged between their late teens and late 20s, were picked up in separate swoops — 11 on World Drug Day, and four others on June 26.
Among those arrested are 13 males and 2 females, all currently held at the Damongo Divisional Police Command.
Speaking during a press briefing, Savannah Regional Minister and Chairman of the Regional Security Council, Salisu Be-Awuribe, lauded the operation as both “successful and symbolic,” especially given its timing.
“Parents must do more than bail their children out — they must instil discipline and guidance,” the Minister cautioned, urging families to play a more proactive role in preventing youth involvement in drugs.
Mr. Be-Awuribe further announced that this was only the beginning of a region-wide crackdown:
“This operation will extend to all seven districts. If you’re part of this drug trade, stop now. The Savannah Region will no longer be a safe haven for you.”
He emphasized a three-pronged approach to the drug menace: punitive action, intelligence-led operations, and sustained public education. He commended the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) for its educational efforts but lamented the persistence of the illicit trade.
“These arrests are a strong warning,” he declared. “There will be no hiding place for drug dealers or users in the Savannah Region.”
Meanwhile, dozens of worried parents, residents, and opinion leaders have gathered at the police station, appealing for clemency for the arrested suspects.
Efforts are underway to intensify community sensitization campaigns, particularly targeting youth, to stem the rising tide of drug abuse in the region.
