National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ebonyi state command Weekend said that they will partner with Student Union of Ebonyi state university to fight drugs abuse in the campus noting that the fight cannot be won by the NDLEA alone.

Addressing journaliststs after the command meeting with Executive Student Union of Ebonyi state university in the command headquarters in Abakaliki the Command’s Public Relations Officer Chief Superintendent of Narcotics Patrick Ikechukwu Ejeri and the President of Ebonyi state University student government Comrade Chika Abraham Nwuhuo said that the meeting focused on how they will partner to fight drugs abuse.

Speaking the EBSU SUG President, Comrade Chika Abraham Nwuhuo said though both agreed on collaboration to fight drugs abuse, noted that their main reason of visiting the command was to ascertained if a stop and search been conducted by some people before the university gate came from the command.

He noted that the command said that the stop and search in front of the University gate is illegal and did not emanate from the Command adding that command told them to inform the command immediately they notice such development.

Nwuhuo stated that both parties pledged to strengthen intelligence sharing, awareness campaigns and other preventive measures aimed at ridding the university community of substance abuse.

“Today’s engagement has been very enlightening. There were issues we initially misunderstood regarding the activities of the agency, particularly around the area close to the Presco Gate.

“The command made it clear that any unauthorised operatives carrying out activities in that area are not acting on its directives, and we have been encouraged to report such incidents immediately,” Nwuhuo said.

He commended the command for its openness and professionalism, noting that the interaction had deepened the students’ confidence in the agency.

“I must say that I am convinced our country is making progress. This engagement has strengthened our confidence in the NDLEA and has opened the door for greater cooperation between the agency and the student community,” he added.

The SUG president condemned drug abuse among students, warning that substance abuse often spreads rapidly within campuses and poses grave dangers to individuals and society.

“I vehemently condemn any student engaging in drug abuse. Once drug abuse begins within a group, it easily attracts more people. Anyone found engaging in such acts should be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the land because drug abuse is harmful not only to the individual but also to everyone around them,” he stated.

Nwuhuo disclosed that the union had concluded arrangements with the NDLEA to organise campus-wide sensitisation programmes, adding that the agency would educate students on the dangers of substance abuse through faculty-based awareness campaigns.

According to him, communication channels have also been established between student leaders and senior officers of the command to facilitate timely intelligence sharing on suspected drug-related activities.

He urged students to reject drug abuse and channel their energies into productive ventures advising then to simple stay away from drugs irrespective of how insignificant the temptation may appear.

Also speaking the Command Public Relations Officer Chief Superintendent of Narcotics Patrick Ikechukwu Ejeri disclosed that the command would soon commence faculty-by-faculty drug abuse preventive education programmes within Ebonyi State University to educate students on the health, social and legal consequences of illicit drug use.

“We are taking our campaign directly to the students. Through faculty-based sensitisation programmes, we will provide factual information to discourage drug abuse, while those who require help will be counselled and rehabilitated,” he said.

He further explained that the agency’s mandate extends beyond arrests and prosecution to preventive education, treatment and rehabilitation.

“The law establishing the NDLEA gives us a dual responsibility drug supply reduction through arrest and prosecution, and drug demand reduction through preventive education, treatment and rehabilitation. Our assignment is not limited to enforcement alone,” Ejeri explained.

Ejeri warned individuals hiding under the guise of students to engage in drug trafficking that the agency would intensify surveillance and enforcement operations across campuses.

“There will be no hiding place for drug barons operating within our campuses. Anyone found engaging in illicit drug trafficking will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he warned.

He appealed to students and members of the public to support the anti-drug campaign by volunteering credible information, assuring them that the identities of informants would be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

“This fight cannot be won by the NDLEA alone. We need the cooperation of students, parents and members of the public. We assure everyone that any information provided to us will be handled professionally, and the identity of our informants will remain protected,” Ejeri said.