Okezie lkpeazu, the Governor of Abia State has commended the synergy and collaboration existing between the Government of Abia State and the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in the fight against use of hard drugs and other related crimes.
The Governor, who made the commendation during the public destruction of seized illicit drug exhibits in line with the court order obtained from the Federal High Court Umuahia held at the NDLEA, Abia State Command office, Ogbor Hill, Aba, reassured that government will not relent in their firm commitment to support the efforts of NDLEA in the State and the Federal government to ensure a hard drug free society.
Ikpeazu represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, further reiterated that government was very desirous of making the State a hard drug and crime free society for the common good of all.
He pointed out that the seriousness attached to the event underscored Government’s commitment to the conscious attempts to entrench sanity in the polity by fighting against hard drug consumption and other related crimes and criminality in the State.
Governor Ikpeazu stated that the unhealthy trends of high rise in terrorism, organised armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, rape, wanton destruction of lives and property attributable to the use of hard or illicit drugs, present cause for serious concern and call for persistent attention as no society can develop beyond the ordinary in an atmosphere of chaos.
In his address, the chairman, Chief Executive NDLEA, Col. Muhammed Mustapha Abdallah, Rtd, emphasized that drugs are publicly destroyed to send a strong signal to traffickers and drug dependent persons to desist from the hurtful and counter productive activity.
He appreciated the Governor, Dr Okezie lkpeazu for the show of great commitment to the fight against drugs by supporting the efforts of NDLEA in the State.
Earlier, while presenting his address, the State Commander NDLEA, Abia State Commend, Mr. Bamidele Akinbade disclosed that the Exhibit destruction exercise of a total of 9,110,252 Kgs of seized drugs comprising of 6,574.116 Kg of Cannabis, 10.81 Kgs of Heroin, 8.9832 Kg of Cocaine and 2,516.394 Kgs of Psychotropic Substances, provides the Command a unique opportunity to prove the extent of successes recorded in their counter narcotic operations in the State.
