By Gabriella Ogbu
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has outlined a multi-faceted strategy to combat drug abuse, emphasizing intelligence-driven interventions and inter-agency collaboration to address the growing crisis.
Speaking on Thursday in Nvosi, Isialangwa South, during a meeting with Nnadi Wilfred, the newly appointed State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Otti stressed the link between drug abuse and criminal activities.
He called for enhanced cooperation among security agencies, including the Army, Navy, and DSS, to curb the menace.
“Crime and drugs are interwoven. Many criminal activities stem from drug abuse, making it imperative to adopt a holistic approach to tackling the issue,” Otti stated, assuring the NDLEA of the government’s full support in their enforcement efforts.
Beyond enforcement, the governor underscored the role of education in crime prevention, noting that his administration’s free and compulsory primary and secondary education policy aims to reduce youth vulnerability to drugs and criminality.
NDLEA Commander Nnadi Wilfred, on his part, commended Otti and his wife, Priscilla, for their sustained advocacy against drug abuse and commitment to rehabilitating affected individuals.
