The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), conveyed the gratitude of the agency’s officers and personnel to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his consistent support in combating substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
Marwa expressed this appreciation during a press session while inspecting the nearly completed NDLEA barracks in Yola, Adamawa State.
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According to him, “We thank God for the project, and we appreciate the continuity in governance. 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.”
While commending the standard and quality of work being done at the barracks, he said, “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. We hope that, by the grace of Allah, before the middle of this year, we’ll fully launch this first phase.
“We are targeting initially the six geopolitical zones to have a barrack each, for equity and balance and in the succeeding years, we hope the succeeding government will continue in all the 36 state commands, Federal Capital Territory, and Special Area commands. Our officers are all excited and willing to do more because this is a testament to the good work that the officers have been doing that yielded this project and they are willing to do even more.”
The NDLEA boss also said the agency is equally committed to reducing the demand for illicit substances by combining forces 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 was set up, which I had the distinct honour of being the chairman. One of the major tasks that we had was to identify the root causes of drug abuse and trafficking and make recommendations, which we did. In the process, we found that poverty is one of the key predisposing factors for drug use in all societies. It is important to note that it is not only Nigeria that has this problem, the whole world is facing it. So, in pursuing temporary relief, some people get into drugs.
“For this reason, I know for a fact that the president is determined to pull Nigerians out of poverty. And for the NDLEA and other institutions and stakeholders like the Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, etc., we are all combining efforts in drug demand reduction.”
He noted that the war against drug abuse is an all-encompassing one that goes beyond the responsibility of only NDLEA.
“The media are at the forefront, the church is at the forefront, community leaders, imams, clerics, educators, NGOs, traditional institutions, women, and youth organizations; we all must collaborate with security agencies to stamp out drug abuse in this country.”
He hinted that in a matter of days, he would be briefing the nation about a major seizure and some arrests made as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle drug cartels still operating between Nigeria and other countries in Africa, Europe, and America.
Moreover, Tinubu’s support serves as a powerful message to society at large, emphasizing the collective responsibility to combat drug abuse and protect vulnerable segments of the population, particularly the youth. By leveraging his platform to raise awareness and mobilize resources, he sets a compelling example for other leaders and stakeholders to follow suit in the fight against substance abuse.
It is worth noting that the NDLEA’s mission extends beyond enforcement efforts to include comprehensive strategies aimed at reducing the demand for illicit substances. This holistic approach recognizes the interconnectedness of supply and demand dynamics and seeks to address underlying factors driving drug abuse, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to education and healthcare.
In this regard, Tinubu’s support for the NDLEA’s mandate aligns with broader societal objectives of promoting social welfare, fostering economic empowerment, and enhancing public health outcomes. By addressing the root causes of drug abuse and investing in prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs, we can create a safer and healthier environment for all Nigerians.
Furthermore, the collaborative partnership between Tinubu and the NDLEA exemplifies the importance of synergy and cooperation among government agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector, and the community at large. By working together in a unified and coordinated manner, we can leverage our collective strengths and resources to achieve meaningful progress in the fight against drug abuse.
As Nigeria grapples with the multifaceted challenges posed by drug abuse and illicit trafficking, the support of leaders like Tinubu serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration. His advocacy not only raises awareness about the severity of the problem but also mobilizes stakeholders to take concrete actions to address it.
Looking ahead, it is imperative that we sustain and strengthen our efforts in combating drug abuse, building on the momentum generated by Tinubu’s endorsement and the dedication of the NDLEA. By fostering a culture of prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation, we can create a society where every individual has the opportunity to lead a healthy, productive, and fulfilling life.
