The Abia State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the seizure of approximately 1.94 million kilograms of illicit drugs and the arrest of 222 suspects within the past year. This was revealed by the Acting Commander, Mr. Chigbu Odoemelam Chilee, during a press briefing in Aba to mark the 2025 United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse. He noted that despite the massive crackdown, drug abuse remains a significant challenge in the state, particularly with methamphetamine, known locally as mkpurummiri, being the most prevalent.
Commander Chilee explained that NDLEA’s strategy in the fight against drug abuse is twofold: supply reduction and demand reduction. While supply reduction has yielded significant seizures and arrests, the agency is also committed to demand reduction through sensitization and rehabilitation efforts. He highlighted that Aba has the state’s only operational rehabilitation centre, but a new one is underway in Umuahia with the support of Governor Alex Otti, who also donated a vehicle to the agency.
According to the commander, the major drug abuse flashpoints in Abia are Aba and Umuahia. The command has extended its operations across all 17 local government areas through its area commands, ensuring that rural and urban centres alike are covered. He emphasized that NDLEA Abia boasts one of the best rehabilitation facilities in the country, serving numerous clients battling various forms of addiction.
Chilee acknowledged that more males than females are recorded in rehabilitation, but attributed this imbalance to possible cultural and societal stigmas preventing women from seeking help. The week-long celebration of the UN Day Against Drug Abuse began on June 19 with various awareness activities, including walks, mosque and church sensitizations, a novelty football match, and media engagement, all aimed at community mobilization against drug abuse.
The NDLEA Commander called on the people of Abia to support the agency’s work, noting that collaboration is crucial in combating the drug menace. He assured residents of improved operational strategies going forward and stressed the importance of collective responsibility in preventing drug abuse. The command’s PRO, Ikechukwu Akunne, announced that the commemoration will climax with a formal event at the Police Officers Mess in Umuahia under the global theme: “The Evidence is Clear, Invest in Prevention.”
