Ugoni Community backs NDLEA crackdown on illicit drug production lab

The Ugoni community in Ebonyi State has commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for dismantling an alleged industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory operating in Ugoni Okposi Okwu, while calling for a thorough investigation and prosecution of all persons found culpable.

The community, through the Patron of the Ugoni Youth Development Union, Chinonso Obasi, said it neither supported nor harboured illicit drug production or any criminal enterprise, stressing that the alleged operation did not represent the values of its peace-loving and hardworking people.

Obasi made the position known in a statement issued  on  Wednesday,  following the reported discovery and dismantling of the laboratory by the NDLEA.

He said the development had attracted significant public attention, but urged the authorities and the public to allow investigators to establish the full facts while respecting due process.

“While the full facts remain subject to investigation and due process, one message from Ugoni Community must be unequivocal: we do not support, harbour, encourage, or condone illicit drug production or any criminal enterprise,” he said.

The community leader condemned the activities of anyone whose alleged conduct may have exposed Ugoni to the dangers and reputational damage associated with methamphetamine production.

He described Ugoni as a peaceful, patriotic and hardworking community whose people valued dignity, enterprise, youth development, community progress and the wellbeing of future generations.

Obasi expressed solidarity with the NDLEA and called for a professional, impartial and comprehensive investigation into the establishment and operation of the alleged laboratory.

He warned that methamphetamine was a highly addictive and dangerous substance capable of causing devastating consequences for individuals, families and communities.

“The production and distribution of such substances constitute a serious threat to public health, community safety and the future of our young people,” he said, insisting that anyone found responsible should face the full weight of the law after due process.

The community particularly praised Deputy Commander Kabiru Zakari of the NDLEA Special Operations Unit, who reportedly led the operation.

Obasi commended the professionalism and courage displayed during the intervention, noting that the operation was conducted without any reported loss of life or casualty within the community.

He also praised the NDLEA leadership under its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), CON, for the agency’s sustained efforts against illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse across Nigeria.

According to him, the intervention was significant because clandestine drug laboratories could expand their networks rapidly if left undetected, exposing entire communities and generations to serious social, economic and public-health risks.

He said early detection and decisive law-enforcement action remained essential to preventing such threats from taking root.

Obasi, a former National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and Pioneer National President of the Nigerian Youth Union (NYU), said the incident reinforced his longstanding advocacy for a safer, more prosperous and better-governed Nigeria.

He declared that Ugoni stood firmly with peace, lawfulness, responsible enterprise, youth development and the rule of law.

“Ugoni Community does not stand with criminals,” he said.

The community urged the NDLEA and other security agencies to deepen their investigation, identify all persons connected with the alleged operation and ensure that those found culpable were brought to justice in accordance with Nigerian law. 

At the same time, it appealed to the authorities and the public not to stigmatise innocent residents because of the alleged actions of individuals.

“The criminal activities of individuals must not become the identity of an entire community,” Obasi said. 

He assured the authorities that Ugoni would continue to cooperate with lawful security agencies to protect the community and keep its environment safe for children and future generations.

The community also urged the NDLEA to sustain its campaign against illicit drug production and trafficking wherever such activities occurred.