Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has restated the commitment of his administration and support to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in their efforts towards combating drug abuse and insecurity across the state.
Governor Otti who was speaking when he received in audience, the new State Commandant of the NDLEA, Mr Nnadi Chidi, at his Nvosi Country home, Isialangwa South LGA, advocated for a multi-faceted approach with intelligence-driven strategies in combating drug menace in the state.
The Governor stressed the need for collaborative efforts between government and security agencies in combating crime and drug related offenses, assuring that the state Government is ever ready to give the needed support to rid the state of all forms of crime and criminality.
Governor Otti recommended the team to meet with his Senior Special Assistant on Homeland Security, Fire and Emergency, Mr Chukwunenye Alajemba, so as to identify and eliminate hotspots.
The State Chief Executive emphasized the role of education in crime prevention and expressed optimism that with the free and compulsory education in Primary and Junior Secondary School, crime will reduce significantly.
Earlier, the State Commandant, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Abia State Command, Mr Nnadi Chidi, while noting that his visit is aimed at familiarizing himself with the Governor following his assumption of office, said the Agency is committed to combating drug abuse and insecurity in the state.
Mr Nnadi expressed gratitude to Governor Otti and the First Lady, Mrs Priscilla Otti for her passionate involvement in awareness campaigns and the rehabilitation of drug users, citing the inauguration of the State Drug Control Committee, chaired by the Wife of the Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti as a significant step towards tackling the issue at the grassroot level.
He disclosed that the committee aligns with the national drug control master plan, which mandates every state to establish such structures to effectively address drug-related challenges.
