The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested one Adaobi Nweke, identified as a drug lord and a lawyer, along with four hard drug peddlers in Umuahia during the operation.

Adaobi is said to be the daughter of a deceased alleged drug kingpin in Umuahia, Joe Kin Jagwa.

Addressing reporters about the operation, the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, commended the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Homeland Security and the NDLEA for the successful operation executed by NDLEA in collaboration with Abia State government. Hard drugs weighing 1.217 kg were seized during the joint operation in Umuahia.

Emetu said the Abia State government is committed to flushing out all forms of criminality, and described drugs as the bedrock of all criminal activities. According to him, Abia is not a haven for criminals. He warned all drug kingpins and other criminals to leave the state or face arrest.

His words: “Abia is not a safe haven for any criminal. To all drug kingpins, the directives from the Governor of Abia State is very clear, stay away from Abia State, we don’t need you.

“You are not part of the development of the state. Drugs can’t develop Abia State. We want our youths to be safe and very useful to the Government of Abia State. Drugs happen to be the bedrock of all criminal activities that can be done by any group of people.”

He said that right from the inception of Governor Alex Otti’s administration, the government promised Abia people its determination to flush out all kinds of criminality in the state, adding that it started with Lokpanta Cattle Market where kidnapping activities were taking place.

Earlier in his remark, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Homeland Security, Mr. Chukwunenye Alajemba narrated how the joint operation led to the arrests.

He said: “Yesterday, the 14th day of February 2024, just before midnight, the office of the Governor on Homeland Security in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abia Command conducted a successful joint operation on the premises of one Miss Adaobi Nweke at number 23 Arochukwu Street by Calabar Road where the joint team seized a very large amount of prohibited drugs, like cocaine, cannabis, methamphetamine which is called mkpurumiri and cash sum of more than N500,000.”

He alleged that Adaobi, a lawyer by profession and daughter of a late drug kingpin in Umuahia, Joe Kin Jagwa has damaged many youths through her illicit activities. Alajemba stated that the operatives also raided a popular hotel around Downbelow in Umuahia.

He said the state government had declared war on drugs and all forms of criminality in the state.

He appreciated NDLEA for its support and disclosed that the war against drugs in the state was still ongoing and advised those peddling drugs to desist forthwith.

SAHARA REPORTERS recalls that the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma and the State Commander of NDLEA, Adelanwa Amos Adetunsi were present at the press briefing.