The Abia State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the seizure of approximately 1.94 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs and the arrest of 222 suspects over the past year.
This was disclosed by the Acting Commander of the NDLEA in Abia, Mr. Chigbu Odoemelam Chilee, during a press briefing in Aba as part of activities marking the 2025 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse, scheduled for June 26.
Chilee noted that the seized substances included cannabis sativa, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine (locally known as mkpurummiri), diazepam, and codeine. He emphasized that methamphetamine remains the most prevalent drug in the state.
“For the past one year, we have seized 1.94 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs,” he said. “We also arrested 222 suspects. These figures highlight the scale of the drug problem in Abia.”
According to Chilee, the NDLEA’s operations are carried out in two phases—supply reduction and demand reduction. While seizures and arrests fall under supply reduction, he highlighted the agency’s efforts in education, sensitization, and rehabilitation as part of the demand reduction strategy.
Abia State currently has only one operational rehabilitation facility located in Aba. However, Chilee revealed that a second centre is being developed in Umuahia with the support of Governor Alex Otti and may become functional in the coming months.
He identified Aba and Umuahia as the two major flashpoints for illicit drug activities in the state but assured that the NDLEA has established area commands across all 17 local government areas to extend coverage to rural communities.
“The volume of arrests and rehabilitative cases we’re handling speaks to how deep-rooted drug abuse and trafficking are in Abia. But we are committed to winning this war on both fronts,” Chilee added.
