By Edidiong Obot
UYO
The Akwa Ibom State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested 799 suspects, convicted and jail over 181 persons and still ongoing in the fight against hard drugs between 2024 and February 2025.
The State commander of the NDLEA, Mrs. Obot Uduak Bassey, stated this during a courtesy visit to the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), accompanied by officers and personnel from the agency at the Press Center, Information Drive, Uyo, recently.
Bassey maintained that the visit was necessary to preach the gospel that Akwa Ibom is in a pandemic stage when it comes to hard drugs, saying, “I am here to synergise, collaborate with the pen in the person of NUJ members. It is interesting to note that the food we eat is primarily where they insert hard drugs. It is in ekpang-nkukwo, afang, pepper soup, chin-chin, cakes, etc and these are mostly done at vigil nights and weddings.
“I am here to plead with you to create awareness among the people of Akwa Ibom State. Drugs have stages and can destroy,” she hinted, adding that it was critical that when something is seen, something should be said to the NDLEA situated along Nwaniba Road, Uyo and the various local government areas in the state.
The State commander frowned at youths getting it all wrong in this direction, saying, “The NDLEA cannot do it alone. It is practically impossible. It has to be everybody’s business. Preach it when you are in the church, party, in your own house.
“They sell it in phones and laptops. When you see your child always on the laptop or phone, what is she or he doing? They put it in the collar of their shirt, under the sole of their feet, in the belt going to school, inside the stew and at the base of food. The only outcome that drugs does is to steal, kill and destroy,” while appealing to all to help in combating the menace of hard drugs.
The state NDLEA boss identified peer pressure from school, poverty, and lack of parental care as factors contributing to illicit drug addiction, while urging parents and guardians to take active interest in their children’s activities, especially online, to help prevent them from submitting to negative influences.
Speaking on raiding of their hide outs, she said, “You may be interested to know that we have conducted several raids in Nasarawa, a Hausa community in the State. Additionally, we arrested the soldier who was seen using hard drugs, and he has been dismissed from service. This is part of our regular activities.
“If you have been following the news, you will know that one of our members was burnt alive during an engagement with a drug gang in the State. I do not want to bore you with the details, but several of our operatives have been killed in 2025 alone.
“Most of us seated here are fortunate to be alive. While we are aware of many of the flashpoints in Uyo and the entire State, we cannot know everything, which is why we welcome our informants.
“The Hausa community at the Marina roundabout in Eket is a notorious flashpoint. We have been there a couple of times and have been attacked, mobbed, and shot at.”
Bassey commended the state government for its support of their initiatives through the Akwa Ibom State Drug Control Committee, which is led by the Office of the First Lady.
Responding, the State chairman of NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk, commended the efforts of the NDLEA and urged them not to relent or be discouraged but should put in more efforts.
Etuk assured the NDLEA team of objective reportage by NUJ and pledged the Union’s commitment to work together with team.
Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of the NDLEA Today magazine to the chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk.
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