The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has appealed to Abia State Governor Alex Otti to relocate its command headquarters from Aba to Umuahia. Mrs. Florence Ezeonye, Assistant Controller General of the NDLEA’s Zone 12—which covers Imo, Abia, and Anambra States—made the request during a meeting with the governor, explaining that moving the headquarters closer to the seat of power would enhance the agency’s operations.
The NDLEA expressed gratitude for the support it has already received from Governor Otti, including residential accommodations in Umuahia and vehicles donated for its operations. Agency Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa also praised these contributions. Governor Otti has been commended for his infrastructure development efforts and his administration’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and abuse.
In discussing the broader issue, the governor emphasized the need to address the root causes of drug‑related crimes. He noted that many young people turn to crime and substance abuse as a means of sustaining their activities and argued that strict laws, rather than rehabilitation, are necessary to control drug trafficking and related offenses. According to Otti, individuals who commit involuntary crimes account for 20 % of societal crimes, while those involved in voluntary crimes make up the remaining 80 % and often resort to crime as a last‑ditch effort for survival.
Governor Otti pledged to consider the NDLEA’s request to relocate its state command headquarters to Umuahia. The decision is expected to strengthen the agency’s presence in the region and enhance its efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse. The NDLEA’s operations in Abia State form part of a broader national effort to address the challenges posed by drug trafficking and substance abuse in Nigeria.
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