NDLEA to establish agency’s outpost in Aba market

The Abia State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced its intention to establish an outpost of the agency in one of the major markets (Ahia Ohuru) in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state.

Speaking with our reporter at the command’s headquarters in Aba, Mr. Bamidele Akingbade said that the essence of the outpost which would be located opposite the market was to checkmate activities of drug addicts who have turned some part of the market into their habitat.

According to Akingbade, the drug addicts took over a part of the market where there are uncompleted buildings and because of the loneliness of the area, the hoodlums took advantage of it to be committing all manner of crime such as snatching of people’s bags, mobile phones, money, etc.

This, the NDLEA boss said prompted raiding of the area with the assistance of personnel of other sister agencies where several arrests were made with several items including cannabis were seized.

The NDLEA boss further disclosed that the escaped members of the group reunited at the same spot to continue raping victims, snatching phones and money from innocent traders and visitors.

He disclosed that the establishment of an outpost with their personnel stationed at the area which they are doing with the support of the leadership of the market, it would help to ensure that the hoodlums doesn’t return there and as a result, check against crime rate.

He stated that the agency though facing logistics challenges, was committed in ensuring that the rate of consumption and sales of illicit drugs in the state was reduced to minimum level.