By Chinedum Treasure
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Anambra State Command on Wednesday disclosed that a total of 360 suspects were arrested and 197 prosecuted between June 2023 and June 2024 in the state.
State Commander, Onyishi Daniel Ogbonna made the disclosure at the United Nations Day For Drug and Illicit substances abuse, themed, “The Evidence Is Clear: Invest in Prevention”
He also announced that 258 suspects were counselled/rehabilitated, while 2.8557 tons drugs were seized between the same period.
He said the feats were achieved through morale boost of officers by NDLEA Chairman Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa and Prof Charles Soludo-led administration
who had been supportive with logistics.
He reassured the Command’s unwavering commitment in combating drug menace, saying, “we believe that the best prevention is to ensure that illicit drugs are not available.”
He added: “This year’s commemoration is to raise awareness for a joined hand approach for effective prevention strategies. It calls for collaboration by government, public/private organizations and individuals for greater investment in prevention efforts.
“I call on ‘NDI-Anambra’, especially the Presidents-General of communities to strengthen the existing security structure to make their communities uncomfortable for drug dealers.
“The command is willing and available not only to professionally handle the information you provide on the drug activities in your areas but also ready to sensitize your youths on the inherent dangers of drug abuse/trafficking.
“It is recommended that “Drug Wards” be established in all Government General Hospitals for the proper management of drug users to avoid dependency. This will take care of the challenge of non-availability of treatment centres for the drug challenge. The services in such centres should be affordable.”
Acting Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu said the institution was not only concerned with teaching, research and community service, but overall wellbeing of the students and staff.
Ikechebelu, representative by Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Solomon Nwigbo revealed that the university has a Centre for Psychological Services and a Centre for Counseling and Career Development.
“The efforts of both facilities, combining with other resources in the university, human and maternal have yielded the production and publication of the booklet, “Nnamdi Azikiwe University Drug Law Policy” unveiled today.
“The document which captures the overall intendment of the UN office on drugs and crime will find good use well beyond this institution, in other tertiary institutions, secondary schools and other organizations in the country,” he added.
Earlier, traditional ruler of Awka Kingdom, Obi Gibson Nwosu who chaired the occasion, called for aggressive grassroots sensitization to ensure drug abuse was minimized to the barest minimum.
The monarch, represented by Palace Secretary, Chief Okonkwo Pius, blamed growing increase of killings, kidnapping and other vices to intake of drugs, especially among youths.
He called on stakeholders to put heads together to ensure necessary interventions were put in place to fight the menace.
“I urge government at all levels to support the NDLEA through building of skills acquisition training centres in the various Commands to engage the youths meaningfully.
“I also call on federal government to re-establish Technical Schools and renovate the moribund ones” he added.
The event witnessed quiz competition by selected secondary schools in the state sponsored by traditional ruler of Ogidi Kingdom, Pharm Alex Onyido.
The winners smiled home with lots of prizes, including laptops, Plasma Televisions, Galaxy Tablets, standing fans and cash prizes for their WAEC, NECO and JAMB registration fees.
The sum of N10,000 each were given to their teachers and an award cup.
