The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the seizure of 398.7221 kilograms of a cocktail of drugs across the 17 local governments of Abia State.
The State Commander of the NDLEA, Adelanwa Amos Adetunji, stated this in Umuahia on Wednesday during a sensitization event on drug abuse, organized by the office of the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, in collaboration with the NDLEA.
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.”
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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.”
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