The Abia State Government reports that a lawyer known only as Adaobi was apprehended during a raid on her residence in Umuahia by a combined team of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) personnel and the state Homeland Security.
During a press briefing in Umuahia on Thursday, Mr. Chukwunenye Alajemba, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Homeland Security, revealed that the raid occurred Wednesday night at the suspect’s residence situated at Arochukwu by Calabar Street in Umuahia.
Allegedly, the suspect, whom he described as a “drug lord,” has been involved in the hard drug business for several decades.
Accompanied by the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, and the State Commandant of NDLEA, Mr. Amos Adelanwa, Alajemba stated that the suspect, along with four others, has been apprehended and is currently in custody.
“On February 14, before midnight, the Office of the Homeland Security, in collaboration with NDLEA personnel, conducted a successful joint operation on the premises of Adaobi at Arochukwu Street Umuahia.”
He stated that the combined team confiscated a substantial amount of prohibited substances, including cocaine, cannabis, heroin, and methamphetamine, colloquially referred to as “nkpuri mmiri,” along with a sum of over N500,000 in cash.
The SSA provided a breakdown of the narcotics seized during the operation, comprising 321 sachets (equivalent to 500 grams) of dry weed, 314 wraps (equivalent to 400 grams) of loud, 105 grams of cocaine, 37.8 grams of heroin, and 129 grams of nkpuri mmiri, totaling approximately 1.217 kilograms of illicit substances.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the joint team raided a notorious criminal hideout in Umuahia known as Down Below and apprehended several suspected criminals. Additionally, quantities of narcotics were seized during this operation.
The SSA emphasized that the State Government is committed to combating all forms of illegal drug activities and urged parents to counsel their children and wards against drug use.
He attributed criminality and violent crimes in the state to the consumption of hard drugs and warned that drug peddlers would face harsh consequences.
During the briefing, the Deputy Governor affirmed that the raid aligned with Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to eliminate all forms of criminal activities in Abia State.
Emetu expressed satisfaction with the progress made in combating criminality, citing the successful cleansing of the Lokpa axis, previously notorious for kidnappings, as evidence of the administration’s determination to maintain security.
“We have controlled kidnapping activities which were perpetrated around Lokpa area. “
He declared Abia unsafe for criminals, and warned drug peddlers to stay away from the state or brace up for the hard consequences.
“Abia is not a safe place for any criminal. If you are a drug kingpin, stay away from Abia. We don’t need you. You are not part of the development of Abia State. Drugs can’t develop the state.
“Those selling drugs in our local governments, time to leave Abia is now because if we come for you, nobody will be able to save you.”