12 hours ago
2
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to complement Federal Government efforts in the ongoing war against drug abuse and trafficking.
The governor called for a unified front and stronger legislative measures to combat the menace.
Otti made the call when he received the NDLEA’s Assistant Controller General of Narcotics, ACGN, Zone 12, Owerri, Mrs Florence Ezeonye, in charge of Imo, Abia and Anambra states, who was on a working visit at the Government House, Umuahia.
The Abia governor, while welcoming the Controller General, reiterated his stance on the enactment of stringent laws to deter offenders, and emphasized that drug abuse remains a major driver of violent crimes across the country.
He observed that a lot of young people indulged in illicit drug intake and trafficking, fueling youth restiveness and other social vices.
“When you look closely, you’ll find that many criminal acts are drug induced, and until we tackle drug abuse head-on, other social interventions will not yield full results,” he said.
Otti suggested that some measures should be applied to distinguish between voluntary and involuntary criminals, adding that while about 20 percent of offenders are habitual criminals, 80 percent of criminal acts are committed out of social frustration and lack of economic opportunities.
He disclosed that his administration is working deliberately to rehabilitate and empower those, especially the young ones, who involuntarily find themselves in the act of illicit drug use.
The governor noted that if young people are engaged meaningfully, they will find it difficult to indulge in crime. According to him, his administration is creating an environment where criminals will find it difficult to operate.
He disclosed that there are ongoing discussions within the National Assembly on strengthening laws that will ensure stiffer punishment to drug offenders.
In her remarks, the Assistant Controller General of Narcotics, Mrs Ezeonye, commended Governor Otti for what she described as his visionary and pragmatic leadership.
Ezeonye described Otti’s administration as a model of partnership and accountability that aligns with the Federal Government’s agenda on public security and anti-drug initiatives.
She maintained that under Otti’s administration, the NDLEA in Abia State has received unprecedented assistance, including its inclusion in the State Security Council.
She equally commended the governor for establishing a befitting rehabilitation centre, supply of operational vehicles, and inauguration of the State Drug Control Committee, SDCC, one of the NDLEA’s key frameworks for grassroots anti-drug education and enforcement.
