Awka, Anambra State (Nigeria): In a strategic move to deepen grassroots engagement, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has enlisted the support of traditional rulers across 189 communities in Anambra State to combat drug abuse and trafficking.
During an advocacy visit to the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, NDLEA Commander Mr. Charles Onubuogu emphasised the critical role royal fathers play as custodians of culture and moral authority.
The NDLEA boss said the agency was highly committed to achieving visible results in its ongoing War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign across the communities in the state.
He said that his commitment to fight against drug abuse and trafficking had recently led his team of senior officers on an advocacy visit to the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers.
He said the visit was part of NDLEA’s ongoing WADA campaign aimed at seeking their support as partners in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking and as custodians of culture and moral authority.
“The traditional rulers play very weighty roles at the community level, and cannot be sidelined in a serious matter such as the fight against drug abuse and its related hazards.
“There is a dire need for collective action, because drug abuse remains a major driver of crime and insecurity in society and needs to be treated with kid gloves,” Onubuogu said.
He said the war against drug abuse and trafficking could not be defeated without the royal fathers’ input, being the key stakeholders of the communities.
Onubuogu said that their support was highly needed because the voices, influences and authorities of royal fathers at the grassroots levels are magical.
He said the royal fathers had irreplaceable skills in mobilising their communities to attend urgently to life-saving and developmental programmes, especially when they are free of charge.
He said that the agency’s recent visit to the council of traditional rulers led by its Chairman, Igwe Chidubem Iweka III of Obosi, was fruitful.
Onubuogu said the royal fathers pledged to mobilise their communities, issue directives against drug abuse, and work closely with NDLEA to build safer, drug-free towns.
He reassured them of the confidentiality of all information received from traditional rulers and their communities.
He promised to treat such information with utmost secrecy and to investigate it until justice is served fully.
He stated that there would be no internal compromise, as the NDLEA would not shield any officer who undermined their operations.
He, therefore, urged traditional rulers to report such cases promptly for strict disciplinary measures.
According to him, NDLEA will establish safe and confidential communication channels with traditional rulers to facilitate prompt intelligence-sharing, given their current community partnership.
He assured them that the agency would continue to strengthen collaboration with the royal fathers in the collective bid to achieve a safer, drug-free Anambra.