NDLEA Convicts 95 Suspects in Abia Over One Year

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

UMUAHIA – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Abia State command, has secured 95 convictions out of 104 drug cases filed at the Federal High Court, Umuahia, with 23 cases still pending.

Commander Chigbu Chilee, who briefed journalists ahead of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, said the agency is intensifying sensitisation efforts after drug dealers began targeting secondary schools.

He noted that the NDLEA recognises old strategies are insufficient for new drug‑related challenges and has adopted a results‑oriented approach. “The theme highlights that while old battlegrounds persist, synthetic threats, sophisticated trafficking networks and digital illicit markets have emerged,” he said.

“The current rate of drug peddling requires proactive, technology‑driven responses. NDLEA has long understood that old strategies cannot solve new problems,” the commander added.

He explained that the agency has split its drug remand directorates into Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation (CTR) and Prevention and Sensitisation (PS) to balance enforcement with social advocacy. “We now sensitize three to four schools each week in Abia State. Reducing youth involvement is key to winning the war,” he said.

Commander Chilee said that every UN Day against Drug Abuse is an opportunity to assess collective efforts and chart a course for the next year.

From 26 June 2025 to 26 June 2026, the Abia State command recorded significant achievements in arrests, seizures, prosecutions, counselling, treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, sensitisation and intervention.

During that period, 429 suspects—355 males and 74 females—were arrested. Seizures included cocaine, heroin, Cannabis sativa, methamphetamine (mkpuru mmili), tramadol and other drugs, totalling 2,078 kilograms.

Notable arrests include an illegal cough‑syrup production site in Umuokapara, Arungwa, where 9,915 bottles of codeine cough syrup weighing 1.15 tonnes were seized on 11 December 2025. The command also holds Mr Godwin Obiorah, a septuagenarian, and Pa Godwin Orji, an octogenarian, who were arrested for drug dealing.

Mr Obiorah was apprehended on 19 June 2026 in Umuahia with 4.6 kilograms of psychotropic substances, including diazepam and tramadol, and will soon be prosecuted. Pa Godfrey Orji, 84, was arrested on 18 June 2026 by a vigilante group at St Silas Secondary School, Old Umuahia, after a 15‑year‑old student, Emmanuel Peters, was caught distributing cannabis sativa and named him as a supplier. Pa Orji remains in detention awaiting prosecution; the student is receiving intervention and parental counselling.

Regarding prosecutions, the command filed 104 new charges at the Federal High Court, Umuahia Division, and secured 95 convictions, leaving 23 cases pending. “We have shifted from reactive to proactive operations, criminalising dealers rather than users. By gathering comprehensive evidence before arrest, we make it difficult for suspects to evade justice,” Chilee said.

In counselling, treatment and rehabilitation, the agency counselled 166 clients—155 males and 11 females—discharged 120, and currently has 48 in admission (44 males, 4 females).

The command received several awards for its drug‑fighting efforts, including a commendation award for rehabilitation, counselling and treatment. Individually, PRO Ikechukwu Akunne earned a merit award for outstanding dedication.

Commander Chilee praised Governor Alex Otti’s support, noting the provision of two Toyota Hiluxes, a Toyota Sienna, an IVM van, and the inspection and repair of existing vehicles. He also highlighted the governor’s approval of 8,393.55 square metres of land in Umuahia for the construction of a new state operational headquarters, which has boosted morale and contributed to arrest volumes.