Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abia State command have smashed a group of suspected cultists in the commercial city of Aba. The officers nabbed them in a hotel room and recovered from them a pistol, rounds of live ammunition, 13 grammes of dried weeds found to be cannabis and shirts with the inscription, Welcome To Taliban Zone.
The state commander, Mr Dele Akingbade gave the names of the suspects as follows; Valentine Obinna, 23 years old; Amadi Amaechi, 24 years; Okonkwo Pascal, 30 years; Dike Chizoba, 30 years; Prince Lucky Chukwu, 25 years; Chimezie Kingsley, 24 years; Emmanuel Kanu, 21 years; Nwanakwere Peter, 22 years. Akingbade said that the case is being investigated.
The raid operation was conducted following a tip-off. The NDLEA will investigate the unlawful possession of drugs and transfer the suspects to Department of State Service for further investigation. It has not been established if the suspects are linked to any revolutionary group.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade commended the officers for the arrest and pledged to work assiduously towards promoting national security. “This arrest further validates the fact that people take drugs for Dutch courage to perpetrate crimes. The Agency will continue to promote national security through intelligence-led operations. I also wish to commend the officers for the timely intervention and successful raid operation that nipped the illicit activities of the suspected cultists” Giade stated.
The NDLEA boss called on security agencies to collaborate in the war against crime and urged parents to inculcate discipline in their children. Members of the public were also advised to report suspected cases to security agencies.
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Ofoyeju Mitchell
Head, Public Affairs
