Amina Mohammed Promises UN Will Help Nigeria In Its Fight Against Drug Trafficking

The United Nations has pledged support for Nigeria’s ongoing fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
Mrs Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, made the assurance during a courtesy visit to Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
She said the UN was ready to support NDLEA to succeed in its onerous task of curbing the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
Mohammed, accompanied by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Mohamed Malick Fall, said the global body is willing to enhance the impact of the agency as it has shown significant achievements over the years in the war against drug trafficking
According to her, “On behalf of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, we want to reconfirm the United Nations’ support for this agency’s work.” It is extremely important, this is coming at a time when the challenges are more complex. The Chairman has spoken about the needs, and we are very pleased to hear that everyone is doing a very good job and we hope that we can increase the impact.
“From our conversation with the Chairman, the issue is clear, it involves many other sectors. We talked about the root causes, and the escape is often drugs. That is why we need to work with the rest of the government to ensure that all people have a right to their dignity. I see this agency as a symbol that wants to do the job, to succeed. This is a challenge we will be here to support.”
The UN Chief commended Marwa for providing NDLEA with exemplary leadership. “I just have to commend the leadership you have here, the leadership we have known for a very long time. When we were much younger, we used to look up to the Soldier Marwa, who led from the front with example and discipline. As we walk into the office, we notice a difference in the discipline of your officers. We need more of that.”
“This is the only country that we have. And we must harness the potential through the work that we do. What we want to do is support with whatever that we can, to ensure a greater and better Nigeria that takes its position not only in Africa but worldwide”, she added.
While appreciating the UN deputy scribe for the visit, Marwa said “We’re indeed pleased to have you visit us. This will go on record as the first visit in history to NDLEA by the highest echelon of the United Nations. We not only commend you for this but also in equal measure your string of impressive achievements, whether when you served as Minister at home or on the global stage where you’re currently serving as Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations. Thank you for being a shining light and a good ambassador of not only Nigeria but the African continent and indeed the black race the world over.”
Marwa noted that the twin problem of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking remains one of the ferocious threats to public health and national security despite the significant efforts being made by NDLEA in the areas of drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction in Nigeria.
“With the dire consequences of the menace steering us in the face, upon my assumption of leadership in 2021, we have moved swiftly to halt the spiral turn of the situation and between then and end of 2023, we have been able to make over 48,157 arrests including 46 drug barons with a total of 8,350 already successfully prosecuted and convicted while 7,500 tons of illicit drugs were seized from them and 1,057 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed deep in the forests in parts of the country.
“On the other part of our mandate, we have equally put in place a strong mechanism to raise public awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. This we do through our War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, a social advocacy campaign initiative. In addition, we provide treatment and counselling to users in our commands across the country, and we have counselled and treated over 29, 400 people in the same time frame.
“This is why your coming today allows us to share with you some of the things you can use your good office and the huge platform of the UN to facilitate to enhance what we are doing and plan to achieve. They include but are not limited to the following: Conduct of another drug use survey that will give us a better assessment of where we’re now six years after the last survey; procurement of mechanical tools to destroy cannabis farms as against the current manual system; procurement of incinerators to destroy tons of illicit drugs seized as against the current open air burning which is not good for the environment and public health; support for our Alternative Development programme.