Abia Government Concerned Over NDLEA Rehab Centre Crisis

The Abia State Government has expressed alarm regarding the increasing number of drug addicts at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) rehabilitation centre in Aba. On Friday, during a workshop in Okwu Olokoro community, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwadinma Ananaba, represented by Ijeoma Ogbonna, highlighted the detrimental impact of drug abuse on youth productivity.

Traditional leaders, including Eze Boniface Izuogu and Nnamdi Nwosu, echoed concerns about drug peddling in their communities. Osinachi Ahana, the Divisional Crime Officer of Ubakala Police Division, reported a rise in crime linked to drug abuse, including a recent case of human trafficking involving young girls from Olokoro.

Frank Nwaohamuo, Assistant Commander of Narcotics at NDLEA, revealed that the rehabilitation centre, designed for 40 patients, currently accommodates about 500 individuals, with some experiencing relapse post-discharge. He emphasized NDLEA's commitment to collaborating with communities to combat drug abuse.