‘Monkey Tail’ Crisis Deepens As NDLEA Flags 21–25 Age Group As Hardest Hit in Bayelsa

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised fresh concerns over what it describes as a disturbing spike in drug abuse among young adults in Bayelsa State, particularly those aged between 21 and 25 — a demographic widely regarded as the backbone of the state’s workforce and future leadership.

Briefing journalists on Wednesday at the NDLEA command headquarters in Yenagoa, the State Commander, Kanu Sunny Chukwuemeka, said the 21–25 age bracket accounted for the highest number of drug users arrested in 2025. The disclosure followed a year-long enforcement campaign that led to 600 arrests and the seizure of 621.556 kilograms of illicit substances.

Scale of Arrests and Seizures

According to Chukwuemeka, 407 of those arrested were male, while 193 were female. The arrests were made through undercover operations, motorised patrols, and coordinated raids targeting drug joints, hotels, bars, shops and transport routes.

“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,” he said.

Beyond raw numbers, the volume of substances seized points to a structured market. The command confiscated 51,445 tablets and capsules, 658 injection ampoules, and 224 bottles of codeine containing psychotropic substances and opioids. In total, the drugs were valued at over N64.7 million at street rates — a figure that suggests sustained demand rather than isolated abuse.

Geographically, Yenagoa recorded the highest number of arrests with 407 suspects, followed by Ogbia Local Government Area with 79.

The Rise of ‘Monkey Tail’

Of particular concern is the growing popularity of a locally brewed cocktail known as “monkey tail” — a mixture of cannabis sativa and alcohol, also referred to as koskorin or wisdom wine.

Chukwuemeka disclosed that 435.055 litres of the mixture, weighing 365.53 kilograms, were seized in 2025, making it the most prevalent substance abused in the state.

“A combined mixture of cannabis sativa and alcohol … is the most prevalent substance abused in Bayelsa State in 2025,” he said, lamenting that increasing numbers of Bayelsans are failing drug integrity tests due to consumption of the mixture.

Unlike imported narcotics, monkey tail is locally concocted, relatively cheap, and easily accessible. That combination makes enforcement more complex. It also reflects a broader shift in Nigeria’s drug landscape, where locally adaptable substances increasingly replace costlier imports.

Why the 21–25 Demographic Matters

The age bracket flagged by the NDLEA is significant. Individuals aged 21 to 25 are typically university students, fresh graduates, artisans, or young entrepreneurs navigating Nigeria’s difficult economic terrain. High youth unemployment, underemployment, and limited economic mobility have left many young people vulnerable to substance abuse as a coping mechanism.

While the NDLEA did not directly link economic hardship to drug consumption, the pattern aligns with national trends. Across Nigeria, security agencies and public health officials have repeatedly warned that drug abuse among youths is feeding crime, cultism, domestic violence, and mental health crises.

In Bayelsa — an oil-producing state with persistent unemployment and community-level tensions — sustained drug abuse within this productive age group carries wider social risks. It affects labour productivity, increases the burden on families, and strains local healthcare and security systems.

Prosecution and Rehabilitation Efforts

On the legal front, the command filed 20 cases at the Federal High Court in Yenagoa. Eight convictions were secured, while three cases were struck out and one withdrawn. The status of the remaining cases was not detailed during the briefing.

Beyond arrests, the NDLEA said it referred 621 individuals for counselling and rehabilitation services, successfully rehabilitating 34 clients. The command also conducted 671 drug integrity tests for students and residents.

The relatively low rehabilitation figure compared to total arrests highlights a broader challenge: enforcement alone cannot solve the crisis. Sustained funding for rehabilitation, prevention campaigns, and community-based interventions will likely determine whether the numbers decline in 2026.

What Is Known — and What Isn’t

The NDLEA’s data confirms that drug abuse remains widespread in Bayelsa and that monkey tail is the dominant substance. However, the agency did not provide a year-on-year comparison to establish whether the crisis is worsening or stabilising relative to previous years.

It is also unclear how many of those arrested were first-time offenders, repeat users, or major traffickers. That distinction matters for shaping public policy responses — whether to prioritise punitive measures or expand public health interventions.

What to Watch Next

The immediate implication is intensified enforcement in hotspots such as Yenagoa and Ogbia. Residents can expect continued raids and drug integrity testing, particularly within tertiary institutions and youth clusters.

But the deeper question is whether Bayelsa State authorities will complement federal enforcement with targeted youth employment, mental health support, and community awareness programmes. Without addressing the socio-economic drivers that make drug use attractive to young adults, arrests may continue without fundamentally reversing the trend.

For a state whose future depends on the energy and productivity of its youth population, the NDLEA’s latest figures are not just crime statistics — they are an early warning signal.