The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 12 drug barons in one Anambra community in the past six years. The NDLEA State Commander, Mr. Sule Momodu Momodu, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking during a ceremony at the Dora Akunyili Woman’s Development Center in Awka, to mark the 2019 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.

He said: “Since 2013, the Command arrested 12 drug barons in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area alone, while two of them had been sent to prison.”

Momodu did not give further details but stressed that NDLEA has a serious challenge in the state because the youths see smoking Cannabis Sativa as a normal way of life.

This, according to him, has been the reason for the increasing crime rates in the state which include suicide, rape, kidnappings, and armed robbery in various communities in the state.

Momodu called for everyone to join hands in fighting drug abuse in the state even as he commended the State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, for his support for the Agency.

The Anambra NDLEA boss however asked the governor to assist the agency with five pick-up trucks to aid undercover operations.

Momodu had earlier read the address of NDLEA Chairman, Col Muhammad Mustapha Abdalla (Rtd.), in which he hailed President Mohammadu Buhari for setting up the Presidential Advisory Committee to fight drug abuse.

In his address, Governor Obiano urged old security operatives in the state to stop abuse of drugs, saying that it is the reason for the crimes in the society.

The Governor, who was represented by the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Health, Dr Simeon Onyemaechi, explained that his government is partnering with NDLEA in the state to fight the menace.

While wondering what youths who are referred to “as leaders of tomorrow” stand to gain from drug abuse, Obiano said: “My administration has mapped out land for the building of N120 million drug rehabilitation centre as requested by the state commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Momodu.

“And as a matter of urgency, I have directed all the secondary school principals who had not started drug free club to do so within the next two weeks in the state.”