Residents of Ganta City and its surroundings have united to combat the use and spread of narcotics in the area. Led by City Mayor Samuel S. Hardt, a crackdown on drug traffickers and users was initiated on August 16, 2025. Hardt and the residents launched the “Drugs Must Go” campaign by raiding several hideouts of drug traffickers and users.
Mayor Hardt told the Daily Observer during the exercise that, “We are going to destroy every hideout, including ghettos, even homes of those who are trafficking or selling narcotic drugs.
“We are not leaving any hideout untouched, even if it is the holes, we will reach there and get them out,” he said. “We are advising every citizen or resident of this commercial booming city to take note and govern themselves by reporting all drugs related activities within their reach to the community leader or the city authority.”
In a vigilante effort, Mayor Hardt and others, including Businessman Prince Howard, dismantled drug abuser shelters, particularly behind the Ganta United Methodist Mission to the Rubber Farm, a notorious hideout known for criminal activities.
Security have raided the area many times, but the criminals would eventually return. Pedestrians are often harassed and hijacked during night hours in the area.
Hardt and his group later moved to Central Ganta, where they destroyed some of the places the drug addicts and peddlers often gather to transact.
A meeting was convened with community leaders in Ganta on Monday, August 18, 2025, at the city office to reiterate the city’s commitment to combating trafficking, addiction, and abuse.
Africanus Dolo, the mayor’s assistant, emphasized the importance of reporting any drug-related activities in the community.
“We want you to report anyone who is selling drugs, using drugs in your community effectively as of now,” his assistant, Africanus Dolo, was held telling the community leaders.
Ganta serves as a key thoroughfare connecting to Guinea, making it a hotspot for drug trafficking, especially involving substances such as cocaine and kush.
It remains one of the busiest transit points in the country. Many Nigerians, who are well noted for being drug traffickers for mostly the high-profile narcotic substances like cocaine, kush and among others, are often seen in the city.
While some criticize the mayor’s actions, citing the need for alternative livelihoods for individuals involved in drug-related activities, others believe that community collaboration and reporting can help address the issue effectively.
“Those guys are still in the community and have nowhere to go, so they find another hideout or means to continue taking in drugs,” said one Fallah, a petty businessman.
Despite the criticism many believed that once the community corporate in fighting drugs and reporting or showing hideout as well as the seller, the trafficker, the issue of drugs will be minimized or curtailed.
