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In a bold stride towards deepening security and community well-being, the Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area, Hon. Dr. Ibenaku Onoh, has partnered with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to tackle the creeping menace of drug abuse and trafficking head-on.
The strategic meeting, held at the NDLEA Headquarters in Enugu, marked a new chapter in grassroots-driven security architecture, with a sharp focus on drug interception, early intervention, and coordinated intelligence gathering in Enugu North LGA.
According to Dr. Onoh, the meeting was both timely and necessary in view of the rising sophistication of illicit drug operations across the country and their devastating social impacts, especially among the youth. He stressed that the local government under his leadership is not only committed to infrastructural development but also to safeguarding the future of young people in every community.
“We will not stand aloof while drugs endanger the future of our young people. We are committed to practical steps, not just policy talk. This collaboration with the NDLEA is a call to action for our communities to rise, be vigilant, and play their part,” Dr. Onoh emphasized.
The conversation with NDLEA Commander, Mr. Abel Sunu Wadahi, centered on community policing models, proactive youth-targeted sensitization campaigns, and institutional frameworks that will empower town unions, traditional rulers, school heads, and religious institutions to serve as the first line of defense.
Commander Wadahi hailed Dr. Onoh’s proactive posture and reiterated that Enugu remains one of the safest states in Nigeria, thanks to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s aggressive reforms and support for law enforcement agencies.
“Governor Mbah has set a new standard for security sector synergy. What we are seeing today with Enugu North is that same spirit of leadership trickling down. With this kind of partnership, we are not only arresting offenders, we are preventing crimes before they happen,” Wadahi stated.
The NDLEA Commander noted that drug abuse often fuels crimes such as kidnapping, rape, cultism, and armed robbery and stressed that stamping it out requires more than enforcement; it demands education, empathy, and sustained partnership at all levels.
Both parties agreed to commence a joint task force initiative, where NDLEA operatives and local security personnel will collaborate on intelligence processing, street-level crackdowns, and rehabilitation referrals.
As part of the council’s commitment, Dr. Onoh pledged to support regular town hall engagements, community outreaches, and the establishment of a local anti-drug volunteer corps, drawn from youth organizations, civil society groups, and traditional institutions.
This partnership echoes the spirit of the Executive Security Bill recently transmitted to the Enugu State House of Assembly by Governor Mbah, aimed at fortifying the state’s legal and operational response to internal threats, including drug abuse, cult-related crimes, and forest-based criminal hideouts.
Enugu North’s bold step, led by Dr. Ibenaku Onoh, is yet another indication that Governor Mbah’s administration is driving a unified front, from the state to the grassroots, in building a safer, smarter, and more secure Enugu.