Anambra Builds N60 Million NDLEA Rehabilitation Center By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Special Correspondent, Awka

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state has approved the sum of Sixty Million naira (N60M) for the building of a rehabilitation center for the National Drug Law Enforcement agency (NDLEA) for conversion of drug addicts in Anambra state.

NDLEA State commander, Mr. Sule Mamodu disclosed this during a one day seminar organized by Sumoda Training and Research Centre in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement agency (NDLEA) for stakeholders and security agencies in Anambra State at Finotel Hotel, Awka reports www.odogwublog.com.

Mamodu commended Anambra State government for her determination and zeal in fighting crime in the State, adding that drug addiction is the genesis of all crimes.


He noted that the terrorism act will energize the joint task force in the state, otherwise known as ‘Operation Mkpochapu’, even as he stressed that NDLEA, Anambra state Command has contributed immensely in sanitizing the society.


He further said Obiano has offered N500,000 for any one that will provide relevant information on how to uncover where  methamphetamine is being produced in the state.


“Methamphetamine is the most illicit drug in the world that poses a great threat to our society. So, we need your collaboration to serve you better as you all know that drug is the mother of all criminalities in the world” he said.


The seminar was attended by Hon. Justice Isah Bature Gafai of the Federal High Court, State Commissioners, SAs and SSAs to the Governor, other members of the state executive Council, NYSC members and the Vigilante Operatives in the State.


In his paper earlier, the Director, NDLEA, Femi Oloruntoba (Esq) described terrorism and terrorism financing as a cross border crime that requires international cooperation and collaboration.  He said security agencies in the country has been empowered under the terrorism act 2011 to detain any person arrested for offence of acts of terrorism or terrorism financing for more than 30 days.


The paper entitled: “Overview and Understanding the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2011”, Oloruntoba  identified involvement in act of terrorism, being a member of prescribed organization, attending terrorist meetings,  harbouring terrorist activities,  hostage taking, failure to report suspicious terrorism transactions among others as the extraditable offences under the act
He also informed that the Federal High Court has the exclusive jurisdiction on offences under the act to entertain terrorism matters adding that the court of jurisdiction may make orders for witness protection and place of sitting and secure trials generally.
He however advised financial institutions and designated non-financial institutions to know their customers and document the activities of their customers, stressing that bank secrecy or preservation of customers confidentiality shall not be invoked as a ground of objections under the act.

He concluded by saying that the enforcement agencies deserve the right, under the act, to freeze any bank account subject to investigations for terrorism or terrorism financing or can even cause any financial institution to pay to the commission any money forfeited in any account.


In his remarks later , Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State commended the agency for their initiative and reinstated the commitment of his administration to make Anambra state a safe haven for investors.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, the governor described the seminar as apt, arguing that terror has taken over the entire world.


He charged Nigerians to be security conscious and report any suspicious movement to security agencies adding that, “His Excellency is committed to cleaning up the state off all criminal elements to attract investors. He will continue to support all the security agencies in the state including NDLEA”.