Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, has identified rampant drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking as major drivers of the recent resurgence of kidnappings and other violent crimes in the council area, declaring that his administration will intensify efforts to dismantle drug distribution networks and strengthen community security.
Egbo made the disclosure while responding to questions from journalists after presenting his administration’s two-year scorecard during a press briefing marking his second anniversary in office on Wednesday.
The council chairman said tackling drug abuse had become central to his government’s security strategy, stressing that intelligence available to the council indicated that several seemingly legitimate businesses had become outlets for illicit drugs.
“We are sure that our boutiques, our supermarkets and our canteens are now centres for the distribution of drugs. There is a community very close by where a woman selling food is actually selling drugs. These are the issues making this recent surge in crime and kidnapping possible,” Egbo said.
He maintained that curbing the circulation and abuse of hard drugs would significantly reduce criminal activities across Ughelli North.
“Once we reduce drug abuse, we are sure the issue of crime will also come down,” he added.
Egbo recalled that his administration had drastically reduced insecurity when it assumed office two years ago but noted that recent developments had altered the security landscape.
“When we came in, we almost brought it to zero. But what we were told at our security meeting is that since the collapse of Yahoo, many of these boys have gone back to their former trade. Yahoo came with drugs and addiction, and now they are working in tandem with some criminal elements to kidnap people,” he said.
He also expressed concern that many victims and their families frustrate security investigations by paying ransoms without cooperating with law enforcement agencies.
“Even after paying ransom, we still believe those criminals should be pursued. But many families refuse to cooperate with investigators, making it difficult to dismantle the gangs completely,” Egbo stated.
The council chairman disclosed that all members of vigilante groups operating across Ughelli North would undergo proper profiling and security clearance by their community presidents-general and traditional rulers to eliminate criminal infiltration.
He said a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police had already been appointed to coordinate vigilante operations following the removal of a former commander accused of creating divisions within the local security structure.
Egbo also warned individuals operating under the guise of forest guards and other unofficial security outfits against extorting residents, saying anyone found harassing members of the public would be sanctioned.
He further criticised what he described as weaknesses in the prosecution of drug-related offences, citing an instance in which illicit drugs worth about ₦26 million were recovered but the suspect was allegedly released after being transferred out of the local government.
“Our proactive action will be different. Once we recover drugs, we will not wait endlessly. We want to ensure drug dealers face justice because if this problem is tackled at the root, insecurity will reduce,” Egbo said.
The council chairman said his administration would continue working with security agencies and community leaders to strengthen intelligence gathering, tackle drug abuse and protect lives and property across Ughelli North.
