ENUGU — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has appealed to the Enugu and Ebonyi State governments for additional logistics and stronger collaboration to intensify the fight against illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse in the two states.
The newly appointed NDLEA Zonal Commander for Enugu and Ebonyi, Mr Owoputi Adekunle, made the appeal on Thursday during his maiden news briefing in Enugu.
He called for greater support from Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, as well as traditional institutions, communities and other stakeholders.
Adekunle said operational vehicles were particularly needed to enable officers to conduct surveillance, respond to intelligence, make arrests and carry out investigations effectively.
He said most of the command’s vehicles were either inadequate or in poor condition.
“We cannot do it alone. A tree does not make a forest. We need logistics, especially operational vehicles, to enable our officers carry out surveillance, arrests and investigations effectively.”
The NDLEA commander said support from the state governments would ultimately benefit residents by strengthening security and protecting young people from the consequences of substance abuse.
He commended Governor Mbah for his previous support to the agency while he served as the NDLEA commander in Enugu and expressed hope that Governor Nwifuru would provide similar assistance.
Adekunle said the agency would also intensify public education through schools, traditional institutions, religious organisations and the media.
He said school-based sensitisation programmes and community engagements would remain important components of the agency’s campaign against drug abuse.
“I am not new to Enugu. For the past eight to 10 months, I served as the state commander, where we made significant arrests, disrupted supply chains and intensified awareness campaigns,” he said.
Adekunle pledged to build on the achievements recorded during his previous assignment, saying his focus would include increased arrests, seizures and successful prosecution of drug traffickers.
He warned traffickers and users against violating the law and urged young people to embrace productive lifestyles.
“The future matters. Let us protect our future potentials by saying no to drugs and yes to life,” he said.
He described drug abuse as a major threat to economic growth, security and national development, noting that it could contribute to crimes including robbery, rape and other violent offences.
The NDLEA commander also commended the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), for his leadership and support for officers in the fight against illicit drugs.
