President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received gratitude from the officers and men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for his unwavering support of the ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the nation. Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), the agency’s chairman and chief executive officer, made the request.
During the tour of the NDLEA barracks in Yola, Adamawa state, Marwa made this statement while answering questions from the media. He said that the facility was almost ready for commissioning.
He expressed gratitude to God and appreciate the element of concern towards the NDLEA. President Buhari appreciated the issues surrounding the security and welfare of staff. They seize, arrest, prosecute, and deal with the criminals, yet the criminals come back to them because they live among them. But now we have the barracks for our personnel. President Buhari approved it and commenced it, and now President Tinubu has continued with the same zeal and drive, so we appreciate this element of concern towards the NDLEA.” Additionally, he praised the caliber of work being done at the barracks, saying, “Consultants and contractors have done very well, good quality, well monitored, best materials and design as you can see, and we are 95 percent done.”
Initially, we want to establish a barrack for equity and balance in each of the six geopolitical zones. We hope that the Federal Capital Territory, Special Area commands, and all 36 state commands will remain under the jurisdiction of the incoming administration. All of our officers are eager to work more and are enthusiastic.
The head of the NDLEA added that the organization is equally dedicated to lowering the demand for illegal drugs by working with other relevant parties to increase public awareness and address the underlying causes of substance misuse.
“I had the great honor of serving as head of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse, which was established in 2018. Finding the underlying reasons of drug misuse and trafficking and making advice was one of our main responsibilities, which we accomplished. During the research, we discovered that one of the main risk factors for drug use in all civilizations is poverty. It is crucial to remember that this issue affects the entire world, not just Nigeria. In an attempt to find short-term solace, some people turn to drugs.
To lower the demand for drugs, the NDLEA would work with other organizations and stakeholders like the Ministry of Health and NAFDAC. The media, churches, leaders, clerics, NGOs, institutions, and youth organizations must work together with security forces as well.
As part of ongoing operations to dismantle narcotics cartels still operating between Nigeria and other nations in Africa, Europe, and America, he would update the nation on the seizure and some arrests made.