NEWS
“Abia Is the Only State Where Security Agencies Have No Rift” — NDLEA Commander, Chinagorom Discloses, Commends Gov. Alex Otti for Inter-Agency Cooperation
…as Abia Information Commissioner, Prince Okey Kanu Pledges Stronger Partnership With NDLEA
By @TheKELVINATOR, The Eyes Opener News | October, 2026
The Abia State Government has received commendation from the newly deployed State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Sir Leonard Chinagorom Nnadim, Ph.D., for fostering an atmosphere of cooperation among security agencies, with the commander describing the absence of friction and the level of inter-agency collaboration in the state as remarkable.
CM Chinagorom made the commendation on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, when he paid a courtesy visit to the honourable Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, in his office in Umuahia, where both officials discussed ways to strengthen collaboration in the fight against drug abuse, illicit drug trafficking and the illegal sale of controlled substances.
The NDLEA commander, who disclosed that he hailed from Imo State, said his experience since arriving in Abia had exposed him to a security arrangement in which agencies worked closely together and readily supported one another in carrying out their responsibilities.
He observed that the absence of friction among security agencies had contributed to maintaining peace and strengthening security operations across the state, describing the cooperation among the various agencies as an important factor in effective security management.
Illustrating the practical benefits of the arrangement, Sir Chinagorom explained that he could request operational personnel and a Toyota Hilux vehicle from the police to support a raid and receive the necessary assistance within minutes.
According to him, such a level of cooperation demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated security operations and enabled the NDLEA to respond promptly to operational needs.
The commander’s commendation came as the Abia State Ministry of Information reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the NDLEA to intensify public enlightenment, discourage drug abuse and strengthen the fight against illicit drug activities.
Receiving the NDLEA delegation, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, assured the agency of the ministry’s readiness to deepen the existing relationship and deploy its communication platforms to educate residents on the dangers of drug abuse and the consequences of illicit drug trafficking.
Hon. Kanu disclosed that the Ministry of Information was already working with public relations officers of security agencies operating in the state, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service and the NDLEA, to improve information sharing and public awareness on security-related issues.
He stressed that effective communication and public enlightenment remained essential to complementing law enforcement efforts, particularly in preventing young people from becoming involved in substance abuse and related criminal activities.
The commissioner also highlighted the Abia State Drug Control Committee, headed by the Wife of the Governor, Her Excellency Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, as an important component of the state’s efforts to address drug abuse, illicit trafficking and the social challenges associated with substance misuse.
He promised to engage the First Lady on the need to strengthen collaboration between the committee and the NDLEA to establish a more coordinated and effective response to drug-related challenges across the state.
Sir Kanu noted that His Excellency Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, maintained a firm position against illicit drug use and the illegal sale of controlled substances, explaining that sustained and coordinated interventions were necessary to reduce the problem significantly.
He further explained that drug abuse could contribute to insecurity and other criminal activities, making its prevention an important part of the government’s wider security agenda.
The commissioner recalled that Governor Otti declared a state of emergency on security upon the inception of his administration, underscoring the government’s determination to address threats to the safety and well-being of residents.
He emphasised that tackling drug abuse required sustained collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, families and communities, alongside continuous public education.
Kanu assured the NDLEA commander that the state government remained prepared to support the agency’s operations and public enlightenment programmes, noting that accurate information and responsible public communication could help discourage drug abuse and promote healthier communities.
Earlier, Sir Chinagorom, who said he had spent barely three months in Abia since assuming office, apologised for not visiting the Ministry of Information and the commissioner earlier. He explained that the ministry’s strategic role in public communication made its partnership particularly important to the NDLEA’s work.
The commander also expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for his commitment to providing the agency with a property in Umuahia for administrative and operational purposes.
He noted that relocating the NDLEA’s administrative base from Aba to Umuahia, the state capital, would be an important step towards improving the agency’s accessibility and operational effectiveness.
CM Chinagorom’s remarks highlighted the importance of the working relationship among security agencies in Abia, where cooperation between law enforcement institutions provides practical support for intelligence-led operations, raids and other security interventions.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Sir Chris Onwuegbu, commended the NDLEA for its sustained efforts to combat drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
Sir Onwuegbu emphasised that public enlightenment remained a vital tool for changing harmful behaviours, helping residents make informed decisions and preventing the consumption of dangerous substances. He assured the agency of the ministry’s readiness to support the partnership through effective communication and public education.
In his vote of thanks, the Deputy Commander of the NDLEA, DCM Ngwuta Patrick, appreciated the commissioner and other officials of the ministry for receiving the delegation, expressing optimism that the engagement would strengthen cooperation between both institutions.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by the Abia State Ministry of Information and the NDLEA to work together through public enlightenment, community participation, inter-agency cooperation and law enforcement to reduce drug abuse and protect young people.
The NDLEA commander’s commendation has further drawn attention to the importance of cooperation among security agencies in addressing security challenges. Alongside the state government’s support for the agency’s operations and its proposed administrative base in Umuahia, the renewed partnership is expected to strengthen public awareness and coordinated efforts against drug abuse and illicit drug activities across Abia State.