The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Anambra State Command, has arrested 559 suspects and secured 128 convictions in its ongoing crackdown on illicit drug trafficking and abuse over the past 11 months.
The State Commander, Charles Onubogu, disclosed this on Wednesday in Awka during a press briefing ahead of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed annually on June 26.
According to Onubogu, the suspects comprised 475 males and 84 females arrested for various drug-related offences across the state.
He added that the command recorded significant successes in its operations, recovering approximately 1.8 tonnes of illicit substances, including cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis, within the review period.
“Since I came into the command about 11 months ago, we have made seizures of more than a tonne of different categories of drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis,” he said.
“In all, about 1.8 tonnes of illicit substances have been recovered, with a total of 559 suspects arrested and 128 convictions secured within the last 11 months.”
The commander described the achievements as evidence of the progress being made in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse in Anambra State.
He also revealed that the command rehabilitated 102 persons battling substance abuse during the period, comprising 99 males and three females.
According to him, the rehabilitation programme includes vocational training in skills such as soap making and tailoring to support the beneficiaries’ reintegration into society.
Onubogu added that the command had also provided counselling and intervention services to several other drug users as part of its demand-reduction strategy.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to tackling the drug menace, he said NDLEA remained focused on disrupting drug supply networks through arrests, investigations and prosecutions, while simultaneously reducing demand through public enlightenment, counselling and rehabilitation programmes.
He stressed that drug users should not be viewed as criminals but as individuals in need of assistance and support.
“What we are mainly after are drug dealers. People who use drugs have problems and we need to help them. They are taken through intervention and counselling programmes to guide them on how to stay off drugs,” he said.
Speaking on this year’s theme for the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, ‘The World Drug Problem: Persistent Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,’ Onubogu emphasised the need for collective action in combating the drug scourge.
“The fight against drug abuse and trafficking cannot be left to the NDLEA alone. All hands must be on deck to battle the scourge.
“The media, civil society organisations and members of the public should use their various platforms to spread the message against drug abuse and help reduce the menace in society,” he added.
He further announced plans by the command to organise a road walk and other awareness campaigns to commemorate this year’s anti-drug day.
The briefing comes amid intensified efforts by the NDLEA nationwide to dismantle drug trafficking networks and curb substance abuse across the country.
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