SASA Burns ₦100m Drugs, Draws Battle Line Against Crime

By Karen James

The Special Anti-Touting Squad of Anambra State (SASA) on Friday publicly destroyed illicit and hard drugs valued at over ₦100 million in Awka, the state capital.
The destruction exercise formed part of SASA’s intensified crackdown on drug abuse, illicit drug trading, and related criminal activities within Awka and its environs.
The operation, which attracted significant public attention, underscored the agency’s determination to dismantle drug networks and curb rising criminality across the state.
Addressing journalists at the scene, the Managing Director of SASA, Hon. Monday Nwokoye, declared a zero-tolerance stance against drug abuse and touting in Anambra State.
He warned that anyone caught selling, distributing, or consuming illicit drugs would face severe sanctions, stressing that the state would no longer tolerate activities that threaten public safety or compromise the future of its youth.
“Drugs must stop in Anambra State. Anyone caught engaging in drug-related activities will be dealt with decisively,” Nwokoye stated.
He revealed that all illicit substances confiscated by SASA from December to date were completely destroyed and would never be returned to circulation. According to him, the exercise was a critical step toward safeguarding children and young people from the devastating effects of drug abuse.
He further described drug dealers and distributors as criminals and touts whose actions erode societal values and fuel insecurity across communities.
The SASA Managing Director called on residents to actively support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities, emphasizing that community participation remains vital to maintaining a clean, safe, and crime-free Anambra State.
He noted that the abuse of hard drugs often leads to theft, violence, and other serious crimes that destroy lives and destabilize society.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment, Nwokoye urged Ndi Anambra to collectively reject crime, drug abuse, and touting, stressing that sustainable security can only be achieved through shared responsibility.
He also commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his unwavering support in the fight against crime and for entrusting SASA with the mandate to sanitize the state.
Nwokoye pledged that the agency would not betray the confidence reposed in it, assuring the governor and the people of Anambra State that SASA would continue to work tirelessly to rid the state of drugs, touting, and all forms of criminal activity.