Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has renewed his administration’s unwavering commitment and support to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in their efforts to combat drug abuse and insecurity in the state.
Governor Otti stated this during an audience with the new State Commandant of the NDLEA, Mr. Nnadi Chidi, at his residence in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA.
The Governor, highlighting the evolving nature of the drug menace and its correlation with criminal activities, advocated for a multi-faceted approach with intelligence-driven strategies to address the issue.
He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts between the government and security agencies in combating crime and drug-related offenses, assuring that the state government would provide the necessary support to eradicate all forms of crime and criminality in the state.
“When you look at crime and drugs, you’ll see that they are closely related. In many cases, people who get involved in crime and criminality start with drugs,” Governor Otti stated.
“Drugs have become so cheap these days, and their prices have dropped significantly because there are alternatives.
“The fight against drugs has evolved into something more complex because we’re dealing with a wide range of issues.
“So, whether you are Army, Navy, DSS, or any other agency, we are all one. Anywhere support is needed, you don’t even need to ask. You can count on the government to provide support so we can rid this place of criminals,” Gov. Otti assured.
The Governor recommended that the NDLEA team meet with his Senior Special Assistant on Homeland Security to identify and eliminate crime hotspots.
Governor Otti also emphasized the role of education in crime prevention. He expressed optimism that the state’s free and compulsory education program for primary and secondary school-aged children would significantly reduce the number of individuals vulnerable to drugs and criminality.
Earlier, the State Commandant, NDLEA, Abia State Command, Mr. Nnadi Chidi, noted that his visit was aimed at familiarizing himself with the Governor following his assumption of office. He reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to combating drug abuse and insecurity in the state.
Commandant Nnadi expressed gratitude to Governor Otti and the First Lady, Mrs. Priscilia Otti, for her passionate involvement in awareness campaigns and the rehabilitation of drug users.
He highlighted the inauguration of the State Drug Control Committee, chaired by the First Lady, as a significant step toward addressing the issue at the grassroots level. He further explained that the committee aligns with the National Drug Control Master Plan, which mandates every state to establish such structures to effectively tackle drug-related challenges.