. Delta, Asagba of Asaba move to tackle drug abuse

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia and Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Abia State Government has launched security operation targeted at wiping out cult activities and drug abuse across the state.

The decision to hit hard on cult groups was taken by the State Executive Council, the highest decision making body in the state, during its meeting last Monday.

Similarly, worried by the worsening incidence of abuse of hard drugs and other illicit substances especially by youths in Asaba and environs, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof  Epiphany Azinge (SAN), has begun exploring collaborative avenues with the Delta State Government to tackle the menace headlong.

There have been noticeable upsurge in cult activities in the state in recent time. Last week, members of a cult group were at the verge of killing a youth in Umuahia, the capital city, before security agents intervened and saved the victim.

At Uturu, a cult-related killing was reported when persons suspected to be cultists opened fire and shot dead a man riding on his motorbike.

The state Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, told journalists that security agencies in the state have been given the go-ahead to deal decisively with the perpetrators of the cult violence.

He said that “the state government has observed with dismay the growing incidence of cult activities in the state,” and would spare no efforts to rid Abia State of cult activities and the harassment of innocent citizens.

Kanu reiterated that “as a responsible government” the present administration would also ensure that Abia State is rid of drug activities that usually fuel cult-related  incidents.

Last Friday, the state Police Command paraded 24 suspected cultists who were nabbed by officers attached to the Umuahia Anti-cultism of the command.

The state Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, said that the suspects with age range of 17 to 27, were arrested on June 29, 2025, at Ahuwa/Umuigu Oboro community, Ikwuano Local Government Area. According to him, the suspects belong to “unlawful cult society” and were arrested based on “credible intelligence” given to the police.

“During the operation, several exhibits were recovered, including a machete, a black beret, a black anchor pendant, and a blue face cap with a badge inscribed with “De Norseman K Club,” he said.

The CP said that the suspects were remanded at the Afara Correctional Centre, Umuahia, pending their arraignment in court after conclusion of investigations.

Meanwhile, worried by the worsening incidence of abuse of hard drugs and other illicit substances especially by youths in Asaba and environs, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof  Epiphany Azinge (SAN), has begun exploring collaborative avenues with the Delta State Government to tackle the menace headlong.

Receiving a delegation of the Asaba Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation Committee, which was recently inaugurated by the Asaba monarch, in his office in Asaba  yesterday, the Director-General of the State Bureau for Orientation and Communication, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, commended the traditional ruler for the initiative.

Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Police Force as well as the State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Tracy Ikolomi, also witnessed the visit by the Asagba royal anti-drug and rehabilitation campaign committee led by Obi Nwanyi Ajufoh.

Drug and prohibited substance abuse often lead to addiction, mental health problems, crime upsurge, death, insecurity and economic retardation, Oghenesivbe observed, lamenting that the state has witnessed growing cases of young people whose promising lives have been ruined by substance abuse.

The consequences of drug abuse are devastating and pervasive because they affected not only the individual indulged in the abuse but also their families, communities and the larger society, he said.

Citing official drug abuse statistics for Delta State, Dr Oghenesivbe said that the NDLEA had reported a surge in drug-related activities in the state such that in 2023 alone, about 500,000 people in the state, aged between 15 and 65 years, were engaged in illicit use of drugs.

He pledged the Bureau’s commitment to collaborating with the Asaba Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation Committee and other stakeholders towards amplifying the sensitization campaign in order to positively impact communities, including rural areas, across the state.

Oghenesivbe said: “As a Bureau, we are committed to collaborating with your committee and other stakeholders to amplify the sensitization campaign and make a meaningful impact in our communities.” 

“I believe that with our combined efforts we can make a significant impact and create a brighter future for our youths and communities.”

“Drug abuse and crime also have significant economic implications, including increased healthcare costs, lost productivity and strain on law enforcement resources.” 

“The NDLEA and other stakeholders have expressed the need for mandatory drug testing for students seeking admission into colleges and tertiary institutions as well as job applicants.  

“Substance abuse can lead to impaired judgement, criminal activities such as robbery, rape, domestic violence, kidnapping and other criminal behaviour.”

The State Bureau Chief noted that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s leadership has been instrumental in driving efforts to reduce the prevalence of drug abuse in the state, adding that “his vision is for a Drug-Free Delta through collaboration, awareness creation, provision of support services and promotion of culture of drug-free living in the state.” 

He lauded the Delta State Government for its efforts to establish counselling and rehabilitation centers in Kwale and Agbor, stressing that the “Drug Free Delta” sensitization campaign launched in February this year by the State Governor was yielding tremendous gains as War Against Drug Abuse, WADA Clubs, are being inaugurated in colleges in the state, through collaboration with the NDLEA.

He restated the Bureau’s commitment to actualizing the state’s “Drug Free Delta” campaign launched by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and announced plans for the second phase of the campaign targeting 58 secondary schools and all tertiary institutions in the state.

Earlier, the chairperson of the Asaba Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation Committee, Obi Nwanyi Ajufoh, said that the objective of the committee was to save countless lives affected by drug abuse in villages and towns.

She expressed the committee’s readiness to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in educating people in rural areas about the dangers of drug abuse, aiming to make a positive impact on their lives.

Obi Ajufoh said that a significant number of Asaba youths have been struggling with drug addiction, and that urgent steps must be taken to address the rising wave of substance abuse in the state.

She said the committee was set up by the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN), to combat drug abuse in Asaba, stressing that the royal father “has zero tolerance for illicit drugs consumption” among his people.

“We want to tag along to help Asaba youths overcome substance abuse. We are here to discuss with the Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau on how the state government can upscale drug sensitization campaign amongst our people in Asaba and villages. So many of them are drowning in drugs”, the committee chairman stated.

Similarly, the State Commander of the NDLEA represented by the Deputy Commander, Mr Victor Isibor, emphasised that guiding children against drug abuse was a shared responsibility, and advised parents to play active roles in raising their children towards the right path.

“In the first half of 2025 alone, NDLEA Delta Command seized over 1,000 kilograms of assorted drugs and arrested nearly 600 suspects. But we also recognize that users are not criminals; they are patients. We’ve counseled nearly 400 individuals and rehabilitated several others”, he revealed.

He thanked Governor Oborevwori for providing utility vehicles to support NDLEA operations and called on parents to play a more active role in guiding their children away from substance abuse.

Mr Nwaze Emeka, who stood in for the State Police Command spokesman, Mr Bright Edafe, assured the people  that the police were  strengthening strategies to frustrate the efforts of Illicit drug suppliers and criminals in the state capital and the state at large.

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