NDLEA Applauds President Tinubu Over Support For Drug War

Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has expressed the appreciation of the agency’s officers and men to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his ongoing support for the country’s efforts to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

Marwa made the statement in answer to questions from journalists while reviewing facilities at the NDLEA barracks in Yola, Adamawa state, which is almost ready for commissioning. He stated, “We thank God for the initiative and appreciate the continuance of governance.

President Buhari recognised the importance of employee security and wellbeing. They make arrests, prosecute, and deal with criminals, but the criminals return to them since they reside nearby.

But we now have a barracks for our personnel. President Buhari approved and started it, and now President Tinubu is continuing with the same energy and commitment, so we appreciate this level of interest in the NDLEA.”

While complimenting the standard and quality of work being done at the barracks, he stated, “Consultants and contractors have done very well, good quality, well monitored, best materials and design as you can see, and we are 95% done.”

“We hope that by Allah’s grace, we will be able to fully launch this first phase by the middle of this year. We are first targeting the six geopolitical zones for barracks each for equity and balance, and we expect that the following government will continue in all 36 state commands, FCTs, and Special Area commands in the coming years. Our officers are all excited and eager to do more, because this is a testimonial to the officers’ hard work that resulted in this project, and they want to do even more.”

In response to another question, the NDLEA director stated that, in addition to arresting, seizing, and prosecuting drug traffickers and barons to reduce supply, the agency is also committed to reducing demand for illicit substances by collaborating with other stakeholders to raise awareness and address the root causes of substance abuse.

“In 2018, a Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA) was established, and I had the great honour of serving as chairman. One of our primary responsibilities was to discover the underlying reasons for drug misuse and trafficking and give solutions, which we accomplished.

In the process, we discovered that poverty is a major predictor of drug use in all societies. It is vital to recognise that this is a global issue, not just one that affects Nigeria. So, in search of momentary solace, some people turn to drugs.

“For this reason, I am confident that the president is motivated to lift Nigerians out of poverty. And the NDLEA, as well as other institutions and stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health and NAFDAC, are all working together to reduce drug demand.”

He stated that the war against drug usage is far-reaching and extends beyond the NDLEA’s jurisdiction. “The media are in the forefront, the church is in the forefront, community leaders, Imams, clerics, educators, NGOs, traditional institutions, women and youth organisations; we all must collaborate with security agencies to stamp out drug abuse from this country.”

He hinted that in a few days, he will brief the nation on a large seizure and some arrests made as part of ongoing attempts to dismantle narcotics gangs that still operate between Nigeria and other nations in Africa, Europe, and America.