NDLEA Commander,Enugu State,described drug abuse and trafficking as major threats to national development, security, and public health, particularly among young people
KaNo —
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Enugu State Command, has seized a total of 929.463 kilogrammes of various illicit substances and secured the conviction of 53 drug offenders between November 2025 and June 2026.
The State Commander of the agency, Owoputi Adekunle, disclosed this on Friday during activities marking the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Enugu.
The event, held in collaboration with the Enugu State Government, brought together students, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, government officials, and other stakeholders involved in the fight against drug abuse.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges and Innovative Response.”
He added that the command’s operations within the review period also led to significant progress in treatment and rehabilitation efforts.
According to him, 157 drug-dependent persons were counselled, while 23 others are currently undergoing rehabilitation.
“Our prosecution unit is not left out. A total of 53 suspects have been convicted, while 111 cases are currently pending before the Federal High Court,” Adekunle stated.
He further revealed that assets acquired through proceeds of drug-related crimes were forfeited to the Federal Government, underscoring the agency’s commitment to dismantling the financial networks supporting illicit drug trafficking.
The commander described drug abuse and trafficking as major threats to national development, security, and public health, particularly among young people.
“Drug abuse destroys lives, families, and communities. It particularly affects our youth, who are the future of our nation,” he said.
Adekunle emphasized that the agency would continue to intensify efforts to reduce the supply of illicit drugs while collaborating with communities, schools, religious institutions, traditional leaders, and other security agencies to promote a drug-free society.
He urged members of the public to support the campaign against drug abuse by educating others, reporting suspicious drug-related activities, and assisting in rehabilitation and reintegration efforts for affected individuals.
Also speaking at the event, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State called on young people to shun drug abuse and take advantage of the opportunities created by the government to build productive lives.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Health, George Ugwu, the governor said the state had opened up opportunities in agriculture, digital technology, and mechanised farming to empower youths and discourage their involvement in substance abuse.
“We cannot build the economy with youths who are not hardworking. It is with your brains and physical strength that our economy can grow,” the governor said.
He stressed that the consequences of drug abuse were far-reaching and could hinder economic growth, adding that the government was committed to ensuring that young people remained productive contributors to society.
Mbah also disclosed that the state government was establishing rspecial adolescent health units aimed at addressing substance abuse among young people and providing early intervention services.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Roland Okereke, a Senior Registrar at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, described substance abuse as a chronic illness that destroys lives and limits future opportunities.
Okereke emphasized that prevention remains the most effective strategy in tackling drug abuse, noting that stigma and poor access to treatment often delay individuals from seeking help.
He highlighted a significant treatment gap in the South-East region, pointing out that there is only one federal neuropsychiatric hospital providing specialised care for substance use disorders.
According to him, commonly abused substances include alcohol, cannabis, methamphetamine, cocaine, hallucinogens, and emerging synthetic psychoactive drugs.
Okereke warned that drug abuse contributes to increased mortality, crime, violence, terrorism, and other social challenges. He urged families to avoid stigmatising affected individuals and instead encourage them to seek professional medical help.
He urged parents to build strong relationships with their children to enable open communication, which would help them identify and address challenges early before negative peer influence takes hold.
Highlights of the event included the decoration of Governor Mbah as an ambassador against drug abuse, drama presentations, debates, and interactive question-and-answer sessions aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of substance abuse.
Ekiti Celebrates World Drug Day
In a related development, the NDLEA in Ekiti State reported significant progress in its anti-drug operations over the past year.
The Ekiti State Commander of the agency, Rufus Aina, disclosed during the 2026 World Drug Day celebration in Ado Ekiti that the command destroyed more than 51 hectares of cannabis plantations and arrested 281 suspects involved in drug trafficking and abuse.
He identified the large-scale cultivation of cannabis in several communities as a major challenge facing the state.
Aina warned that while some individuals view cannabis cultivation as a source of income, its illegal production and distribution have serious consequences, including increased criminality, insecurity, school dropouts, substance dependence, and environmental degradation.
He stressed that the destruction of cannabis farms was necessary to protect communities, preserve forest reserves, and curb the spread of drug abuse.
World Drug Day is observed annually on June 26 to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and to promote global action against illicit drug trafficking.
