Bureau DG Hails NDLEA, Says Seizure Of Drugs Worth Over N2Bn In 12 Months Overwhelming

…Govt Sets Sept. 21 Flag-Off For Phase Two Of Drug-Free Delta Campaign

The Director-General of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq., has commended the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), for strengthening the Agency’s Drug Integrity Test and Visa Clearance initiatives, describing them as timely and strategic interventions in Nigeria’s continuing war against substance abuse, illicit drug trafficking and related social vices.

The NDLEA currently operates online platforms for both Drug Integrity Tests and Visa Clearance, with the Agency describing the Drug Integrity Test as part of its demand-reduction strategy and an early intervention mechanism.

Oghenesivbe gave the commendation on Thursday when he led the management team of the Bureau on a working visit to the Delta State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Halilu Hamidu, in Ogwashi-Uku, to brief him on preparations for the Drug-Free Delta Phase Two Campaign, being implemented in collaboration with the NDLEA. He disclosed that the second phase of the Drug-Free Delta Campaign will be formally Flag-Off at Dennis Osadebay University Asaba, on September 21, 2026 with activities across the three senatorial districts of the State.

The Bureau Chief said the NDLEA Drug Integrity Test initiative goes beyond routine screening, as it provides an important mechanism for early detection, intervention, counselling and rehabilitation, particularly among young people who are increasingly vulnerable to the devastating consequences of substance abuse.

He noted that the initiative, alongside the Visa Clearance programme, reinforces national efforts to discourage drug use and trafficking, promote responsible behaviour and protect Nigeria’s international image.

The Director-General said the NDLEA initiatives are particularly relevant to the Drug-Free Delta Campaign, a major public enlightenment and behavioural-change programme of the Delta State Government, launched under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as part of his administration’s commitment to building a safer, healthier and more productive Delta State.

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Oghenesivbe disclosed that the Bureau for Orientation and Communications will commence Phase Two of the Drug-Free Delta Campaign on September 21, 2026, in collaboration with the Delta State Command of the NDLEA, with intensive sensitisation programmes across universities, colleges and selected secondary schools in the State.

He explained that Phase Two is designed to reinforce awareness among students and young people about the dangers and negative consequences of substance abuse, drug dependency and illicit drug peddling, while equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to resist peer pressure and other influences that may lead them into drug use or trafficking.

The Director-General further disclosed that the Delta State Government is considering the introduction of Drug Integrity Tests across tertiary institutions as a possible pre-condition for admission and graduation, subject to the necessary approvals and policy considerations.

He said such a measure, if approved and properly implemented, could contribute significantly to curbing substance abuse and the use of illicit drugs among students across the State.

According to Oghenesivbe, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori deeply cares about the wellbeing and future of Delta youths, including students in tertiary institutions, and will continue to do everything within his authority to ensure that young Deltans live healthy, productive and drug-free lives while making steady progress in their academic pursuits and future careers.

He said the campaign will also emphasise that drug peddling is a criminal enterprise capable of destroying young lives, families and communities.

The State Government he added, will continue to work closely with the NDLEA to strengthen public awareness, encourage responsible reporting and support lawful efforts to identify, arrest and prosecute drug dealers and traffickers, while also supporting the counselling, treatment and rehabilitation of victims of substance abuse and persons struggling with addiction.

Oghenesivbe called on parents, teachers, school authorities, traditional rulers, religious leaders, student unions, youth organisations, civil society groups and the media to support Phase Two of the Drug Free Delta campaign, stressing that government alone cannot win the war against substance abuse. He urged students, in particular, to become ambassadors of the Drug-Free Delta vision and reject the use, sale and promotion of illicit drugs.

The Director-General reaffirmed the Bureau’s commitment to sustained public enlightenment and strategic collaboration with the NDLEA and other relevant agencies, saying that a Drug-Free Delta is achievable when prevention, education, enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation work together.

He therefore urged all stakeholders to join the State Government in building a generation of young Deltans who are informed, resilient, healthy and committed to a drug-free future.

Earlier, the Delta State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Halilu Hamidu, said the Command had, within the past one year, seized banned substances worth over N2 billion, while several cases involving suspects accused of trafficking hard drugs and other banned substances into the State are pending before the courts.

He also disclosed that women constitute a significant proportion of those arrested in connection with drug trafficking, urging the State Government, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration with the NDLEA towards the actualisation of a Drug-Free Delta.

Hamidu called for sustained collective action in support of the Drug-Free Delta campaign and the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, stressing that government, law-enforcement agencies, families, schools, civil society organisations and other stakeholders must work together to address the growing challenge of substance abuse.

The NDLEA has continued to emphasise the importance of combining enforcement with prevention, counselling and rehabilitation in addressing Nigeria’s drug problem.