NDLEA Intensifies Anti-Drug Campaign in Ebonyi, Seizes Narcotics and Arrests 112 Suspects

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has significantly ramped up its operations in Ebonyi State, culminating in the arrest of 112 suspects and the seizure of substantial quantities of illicit drugs across various locations in the state.

The Ebonyi State Commander of the agency, Mr. Ibrahim Bashir, disclosed this yesterday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Abakaliki, where confiscated substances were displayed before journalists.

“Our intensified enforcement activities over the past two months have yielded remarkable results,” Bashir stated. “We have successfully apprehended 112 individuals involved in drug trafficking and abuse, including eight women, and recovered various narcotic substances with an estimated street value of over N35 million.

According to the commander, the seizures included 324 kilograms of cannabis sativa (marijuana), 2.6 kilograms of methamphetamine (locally known as mkpuru mmiri), 4.5 kilograms of tramadol, and significant quantities of rohypnol, codeine-based syrups, and other psychotropic substances.

The operations, which targeted notorious drug hotspots across the state’s 13 local government areas, were conducted based on intelligence gathered through community cooperation and surveillance activities. Notable raids were carried out in Afikpo, Ishiagu, Abakaliki metropolis, and border communities between Ebonyi and neighboring states.
“What is particularly concerning is the increasing involvement of young people, including students of tertiary institutions, in drug trafficking and consumption,” Bashir lamented. “Of the 112 arrests made, 64 are young people between the ages of 18 and 35.”

The NDLEA commander revealed that the agency has expanded its approach beyond enforcement to include prevention and rehabilitation strategies. “While we continue to clamp down on dealers and suppliers, we have enrolled 28 drug-dependent individuals into our counseling and rehabilitation program. Our goal is not just to punish offenders but to reclaim lives being destroyed by substance abuse.”

Community leaders have expressed support for the agency’s efforts. Chief Ogbonnaya Eze, Chairman of the Ebonyi State Traditional Rulers Council, who attended the briefing, pledged the cooperation of traditional institutions in the fight against drug abuse.
“The traditional rulers will strengthen community vigilance and work closely with security agencies to ensure that our communities are drug-free,” Chief Eze promised. “Drug abuse has destroyed many promising lives in our state, and we must tackle this menace collectively.

The Ebonyi State Government, represented at the briefing by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Jude Okpor, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting the NDLEA’s operations through logistical assistance and public awareness campaigns.

“Governor Francis Nwifuru has approved additional funding for anti-drug education in schools and youth centers across the state,” Commissioner Okpor announced. “We recognize that fighting drug abuse requires a multi-faceted approach involving enforcement, education, and economic empowerment.

The NDLEA commander further disclosed that investigations are ongoing to uncover the supply chains and drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond the state. He warned that the agency would intensify its operations in the coming months, with special attention to border communities that serve as transit points for drug traffickers.
As the suspects await prosecution, the NDLEA has called for greater community vigilance and increased reporting of suspicious activities related to drug trafficking and abuse in the state.