Abia Government, NDLEA nab female drug Kingpin, others in Umuahia

Abia State Government in a joint operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the NDLEA Abia Command has nabbed a drug Kingpin in Umuahia Adaobi Nwoke alongside other drug peddlers, and in the process discovered a significant quantity of hard during the sting operation.

A total of 1.217 kg of drugs were seized, leading to the arrest of five individuals, comprising two males and three females.

Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, addressing the media, expressed gratitude to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Homeland Security and the NDLEA for the operation’s success. He emphasized the government’s dedication to eradicating all forms of criminality, citing drugs as a catalyst for criminal activities.

Emetu asserted that Abia is not a sanctuary for criminals and issued a warning to drug kingpins and other offenders to leave the state or face legal consequences.

“Abia is not a save 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”, Emetu stated

He stated that since the beginning of Governor Alex Otti’s administration, the government had pledged to eradicate all forms of criminality in Abia State, starting with the Lokpanta Cattle Market, a hotspot for kidnapping activities.

Earlier, Mr. Chukwunenye Alajemba, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Homeland Security, detailed the success of the joint operation in his remarks.

“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, metamephetamin which is called mkpurumiri and cash sum of more than 500 hundred thousand Naira”

He revealed that Adaobi, a lawyer by profession and the daughter of the late notorious drug kingpin in Umuahia, Joe Kin Jagwa, has adversely impacted many youths with her drug activities spanning decades.

Mr. Alajemba also mentioned that the operatives conducted a raid at a popular hotel in Downbelow, Umuahia. He emphasized the state government’s determination to combat drugs and all forms of criminality in Abia State.

Expressing gratitude to the NDLEA for their assistance, he noted that the fight against drugs in the state continues, urging drug peddlers to cease their activities immediately.

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