The office of the wife of the Abia State governor in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Abia state command has carried out a sensitization Programme for the constituted Abia state drug control committee and other stakeholders in order to have a drug free society.
Speaking at the event held at the banquet hall of government house, Umuahia, Abia state, governor, Dr Alex Otti, said the committee has a critical assignment in the fight against drug abuse, urging them to be of sound mind, and help in building the Abia of everyone’s dream.
The governor, represented by the Secretary of the State Government, Kenneth Kalu, charged them to create a society where the young men and women compete with their peers.
In her address, the wife of the governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti said the initiative underscores the state government’s unwavering commitment to protecting the lives of the people, and marks a significant milestone in the fight against drug abuse and its devastating impact on individuals, families and communities.
She charged the Committee members to oversee and coordinate efforts to control and prevent drug abuse within the state, stressing on the need to sensitive Abians and its residents at the grassroots on the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of prevention.
While assuring the committee of the state government’s support whenever needed, Mrs Otti urged the victims of drug abuse to always seek help from medical professionals families and friends.
The state commander, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Adelawa Adetunji, presented a document on the national drug control master plan to the committee, said the document is a guide on how the menace can be tackled holistically.
He disclosed, “Within the last 12 months, the State Command has seized 274.1323 kilograms of cannabis sativa across the 17 local governments.
There is no part of the 17 local governments in which we have not made arrests and seizures in the past 12 months.”
The State Commander of the NDLEA, Adelanwa Amos Adetunji said
the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced the seizure of 398.7221 kilograms of a cocktail of drugs across the 17 local governments of Abia State.
The drugs seized include heroin, weighing 0.3771 kilograms, cocaine, which weighed 0.4517 kilograms, and meth (Mkpuru Miri) weighing 0.4363 kilograms.
Tramadol accounted for 21.949 kilograms, and other psychotropic drugs, including codeine and diazepam, totaled 101.3751 kilograms.
When combined, the total seizure amounts to 398.7221 kilograms of various drugs across the 17 local governments.
Regarding arrests, Adetunji stated, “In the past 12 months, we have arrested 181 suspects—165 males and 16 females.
These cases have been charged accordingly, with 163 cases filed in the courts. We have had 143 convictions, and there are currently 83 cases pending in court.”
On rehabilitation efforts, he said, “So far, 29 treatments have been administered to clients at our rehabilitation center in Aba.
Over 120 individuals have been treated, canceled, and discharged. Additionally, over 30 individuals have received brief interventions.”
He added, “To reduce drug trafficking and use in Abia, we have focused on several notable locations. One such location is the popular waterside in Aba, which we have raided.
As of now, you will find no one there. This operation was carried out in collaboration with the GADA team and the Office of the SA on Security.”
Adetunji also mentioned a notorious drug haven in Aba, known as Boro Pit, which has been dismantled. “We have sought permission to demolish the area as it was specifically built for drug usage and trafficking.”
He recalled, “Earlier this year, when I assumed office as the state commander, a well-known individual from the Joking Jaguar family was arrested with a cocktail of drugs. Her case is still in court.”
Additionally, in collaboration with Operation Crush, 139.97 kilograms of cannabis was seized by security personnel and transferred to the NDLEA.
Adetunji further noted, “International criminal networks have aggravated these challenges.
If the trend is not reversed, it will significantly impact public health, education, the rule of law, development, and good governance.”
He emphasized, “This synergy, this purposeful governance, is what has brought us here today.
The NDLEA and security agencies cannot tackle this issue alone—everyone must contribute.”