NDLEA tasks private sector over fight against drug abuse

By Victor Nwachukwu

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has urged the organised private sector to join hands with the agency in the fight against drug abuse.

The Commander of the NDLEA in Imo, Mr Ibrahim Ohida, said this while speaking at a ceremony to mark the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, organised by the agency in Owerri, on Thursday.

The theme for 2025 is: “Breaking The Chains : Prevention, Treatment And Recovery For All “.

Ohida, a Commander of Narcotics, said that all hands should be on deck in line with the year’s theme to enable the NDLEA achieve its set goals bordering on the fight against abuse of drugs.

He added that with public participation, especially in the areas of provision of information and logistics support, drug peddling would be reduced to a barest minimum.

“ Imo has distinguished itself in the drug war and we believe that with greater support and with our men on ground across all 27 council areas of the state, we will do more,” he said.

Speaking, Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo, praised the NDLEA for its “tireless efforts in addressing the menace of drug abuse “, pledged to continue supporting the agency.

The governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Narcotics and Illicit Drug Monitoring, Chief Ezechukwu Obonna, expressed confidence in the NDLEA’s ability to face the challenge head on.

“ Drug abuse is at the centre of crime and criminality but, with the kind of fight we are putting up, we will conquer”, he said.

Also speaking, the South-East President, Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED), Mr Cyprian Okonkwo, thanked the NDLEA for its efforts in battling the menace of drug abuse and pledged total support for the agency.

“ We’re fighting drug abuse and we’re getting it right, with available statistics to show for it, thanks to the unflinching efforts of the NDLEA,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was spiced up with dance presentations by cultural troupes, with representatives of all security agencies in the state present.

Also, awards were presented to deserving individuals as ambassadors of the War Against Drug Abuse.

(NAN)