The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ebonyi State Command, has announced a strategic partnership with the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Ebonyi State University (EBSU) to intensify efforts against drug abuse and illicit drug activities on campus.
The Command said combating substance abuse requires the collective efforts of students, parents and the wider public, stressing that the fight against drug abuse cannot be won by the NDLEA alone.
The resolution followed a meeting between officials of the NDLEA and the EBSU Students’ Union Executive at the agency’s headquarters in Abakaliki. Speaking after the meeting, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Narcotics Patrick Ikechukwu Ejeri, and the EBSU SUG President, Comrade Chika Abraham Nwuhuo, said both parties agreed to strengthen collaboration in the campaign against drug abuse within the university community.
Nwuhuo explained that although the meeting focused on anti-drug collaboration, the Students’ Union also sought clarification over reports of stop-and-search operations allegedly being carried out near the university’s Presco Gate.
According to him, the NDLEA clarified that the individuals conducting such operations were not its personnel and that the activities were unauthorized. The agency urged students to promptly report any similar incidents to the command.
He disclosed that both sides agreed to improve intelligence sharing, expand awareness campaigns and introduce preventive measures aimed at eliminating substance abuse from the university.
“Today’s engagement has been highly informative. There were misconceptions about some activities around the Presco Gate, but the command has clarified that unauthorized individuals operating there are not acting on its behalf. We have also been encouraged to report such incidents immediately,” Nwuhuo said.
The SUG President praised the NDLEA for its transparency and professionalism, noting that the meeting had strengthened students’ confidence in the agency and laid the foundation for stronger cooperation.
He strongly condemned drug abuse among students, warning that substance abuse spreads quickly within academic environments and poses serious health, social and security risks.
Nwuhuo further revealed that the Students’ Union and the NDLEA have concluded plans to organize campus-wide drug awareness campaigns across faculties. He added that communication channels have also been established between student leaders and senior NDLEA officers to facilitate the timely exchange of intelligence on suspected drug-related activities.
He urged students to stay away from illicit drugs and focus on productive pursuits, regardless of the temptation they may face.
Speaking on behalf of the command, Chief Superintendent Patrick Ikechukwu Ejeri disclosed that the NDLEA would soon begin faculty-by-faculty drug abuse prevention and sensitisation programmes across Ebonyi State University.
He explained that the initiative would educate students on the health, legal and social consequences of substance abuse while providing counselling and rehabilitation opportunities for those struggling with addiction.
“We are taking the anti-drug campaign directly to students. Through faculty-based sensitisation programmes, we will provide factual information to discourage drug abuse, while those who need help will receive counselling and rehabilitation,” Ejeri said.
He noted that the NDLEA’s responsibilities go beyond arrests and prosecution, stressing that the agency is equally mandated to carry out preventive education, treatment and rehabilitation.
Ejeri also warned individuals using university campuses as cover for drug trafficking that the command would intensify surveillance and enforcement operations.
“There will be no hiding place for drug traffickers operating within our campuses. Anyone found engaging in illicit drug trafficking will be arrested and prosecuted in line with the law,” he warned.
He appealed to students, parents and members of the public to support the anti-drug campaign by providing credible information, assuring that the identities of informants would remain confidential.
“The fight against drug abuse requires everyone’s participation. We encourage the public to volunteer useful information, and we guarantee that every informant’s identity will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality,” Ejeri added.
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