NDLEA arrest 222 Illicit drugs suspects, seizes 1 Million Kilogram Of drugs In Abia
NDLEA arrest 222 Illicit drugs
suspects, seizes 1 Million Kilogram Of drugs In Abia
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu Umuahia
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Abia State Command, has announced that it has seized about one million and ninety four kilograms (1.94 million) of illicit drugs, and arrested two hundred and twenty two (222) suspects in one year.
The Acting Commander of Abia NDLEA in the state DCN Chigbu Odoemelam Chilee, disclosed this to journalists in Aba on Tuesday, during a press briefing mapped out as one of the week long events to commemorate the ‘2025 United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse’ coming up on the 26th of June 2025,
He said that despite the seizures and arrest, the command has intensified efforts in prevention.
Chilee also said that for awhile now, Aba is the only rehabilitation centre the agency has in Abia, but Governor Alex Otti has made provision for another one in Umuahia, which may be ready in a few months from now, and has also given them a vehicle to help in their job.
He added that the problem of illicit drugs in Abia cannot be overemphasized, stressing that, the number of arrest, seizure, and people coming for rehabilitation, shows that Abia state faces a huge challenge in drug abuse and trafficking.
“For the past one year, we’ve seized one million and ninety four kilograms of illicit drugs. These drugs include cannabis, sativa, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, diazepam, codeine, etc. The most prevalent here is methamphetamine called mkpurummiri, in our local parlance.
“We also arrested two hundred and twenty-two suspects in one year here. We fight anti drug war in two phases, one is supply reduction, and the other is demand reduction. In supply reduction, I’ve given you the statistics on seizure.
“However, in demand reduction, we’re talking about sensitization and rehabilitation. In rehabilitation, Abia Command of the NDLEA has one of the best facilities considering the number of clients and the records available.”
Chilee said that Abia, the commercial hub of the state and Umuahia, the state capital, are currently the major flashpoints of illicit drugs in Abia state.
He, however, added that NDLEA Abia has area commands that equally cover the rural areas and the entire seventeen local government areas of the state, as the agency is leaving no stone unturned while fighting the use of illicit drugs.
The Commander said that NDLEA Abia State, just like any other agency, has challenges, but that they are surmounting all challenges as they come. .
Chilee also revealed that currently, there is a high gap between male and female in the rehabilitation centre, and added that the statistics do not mean that women are not involved in drug abuse.
He said that there may be some issues that may have made it difficult for them to approach rehabilitation, which may be cultural, stigmatization or even religious and otherwise
He added that the United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is marked globally and a week long programme that started since 19th of June, which began with sensitization in some notable places, has been ongoing.
“A lot of events were marked to commemorate this programme, which started with a walk against Drug Trafficking at the state capital, Umuahia.
“The second day, we had a sensitization programme at the mosque where the Imam preached the same message. We did the same thing at the church, Christ Embassy Aba, on the third day.
“We had a novelty match yesterday between our officers and some clients in our rehabilitation centre. And today, it’s about the press.”
He said that after the programme; he expects that all the stakeholders will collaborate with NDLEA to reduce the level of use of illicit drugs, stressing that the agency cannot do it alone.
“After the programme, there will be a lot of work by the State Drug Committee that was recently inaugurated in Umuahia to ensure that there is a serious reduction in using illicit drugs in Abia.
“We urge Abia people to trust us and our leadership from the National Headquarters, where the leadership is showing Nigeria a huge change in this fight.
“Here, we urge them to expect a reinvigorated operation strategies that will help make this place uncomfortable for illicit drug dealers.”
Meanwhile, Ikechukwu Akunne, the Public Relations Officer of the command, called on residents of Aba and Umuahia, especially media practitioners, to cooperate with the command in information and intelligence, as it’ll help the command give its best.
The 2025 United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with the theme: “The Evidence is Clear, Invest In Prevention”, will take place at the Police Officers Mess, close to the government house Umuahia.