The Abia State combined team of the COVID-19 TASK FORCE and youths of Ogbudiukwu have intercepted a Siena vehicle conveying bags of hard drugs suspected to be cannabis at Ogbudiukwu, in Umuahia South Local Government Area.
Briefing the press on the development, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem said that investigation has shown the identity of the driver and assured that the law would take its course on the victim.
Barr. Ezem disclosed that apart from the suspected hard drugs, they also recovered cash of One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira in the vehicle. He urged all to continue to support the efforts of the State government in the lockdown. He equally informed that the ban on inter-State travelling remains in force.
Speaking, the State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Prince Dan Okoli and the Transition Committee Chairman, Umuahia South LGA, Dr. Ndukwe Adindu said they were happy with the men at the borders as they are committed to their duties which made them to accost the vehicle.
They called on the youths to shun all forms of crime and live according to the laws of the land and saluted the security agencies for the collaboration that resulted to seizure of the illicit drugs
Also speaking, the State Commandant, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Akinbede Bamidele stated that the samples of the materials would be taken to Abuja for forensic analysis while trial would commence soon.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations in the State, Alfa Jibril said that the DPO in charge of Umuopara, Helen Nze led a team to hunt for the driver, who abandoned his vehicle and ran away.
Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
29th April 2020.