Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), has warned that no form of sabotage will be tolerated in the reborn war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.
Marwa made the disclosure at the passing out ceremony of additional 2,500 cadets of Senior Officers Basic Course 16 on Thursday (today) at the NDLEA Academy in Jos, Plateau State.
In a statement signed by Femi Babafemi, the Director, Media and Advocacy of NDLEA on Thursday, Marwa noted that the gathering was also a celebration of 5,000 new personnel to the NDLEA workforce.
Consequently, Marwa who was represented by the Director Planning, Research and Statistics, Victoria Egbase charged them to carry out their duties diligently, thereby making their impact felt.
“Within that 30 years, the world of illicit drugs had become complex and more devastating to society, and the dynamics of the Nigerian drug situation had become more dire. That was why the 2018 Drug Use Survey jolted Nigeria and sounded the alarm bell on the inevitability of arresting the situation.
“Hence, some 35 months ago, in January 2021, NDLEA was handed a lifeline to rejig its structure and improve its systems to counter contemporary drug problems,” he stated.
The NDLEA boss said that the new personnel had undertook meticulous training before they got to this stage, adding that they can now discharge their duties efficiently and effectively.
“Today’s passing out ceremony, coming after months of rigorous training, is one of the manifestations of the ongoing restructuring in the Agency. Having another batch of 5, 000 officers to strengthen our workforce will assuredly give the needed impetus to the fight against the abuse and trafficking of illicit substances.
“In the tradition of our noble organisation and according to global best practices, this batch of officers has been trained to be efficient drug law enforcement agents. They have spent the past months in training, where they have learnt the intricacies of drug law enforcement and know that their job demands sacrifice, loyalty, and discipline. I have no doubt that they are aware of their position as an important cog in the law and order system of society.”
Marwa welcomed the new Assistant Superintendents of Narcotics to the Agency saying; “I assure you that you are coming into this organisation at an interesting time when reforms are being implemented and plans have been laid for the next phase of action to curb drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.
“I must prepare your minds for the task ahead of you. The duties are such that there is no room for compromising the ethics of your profession or subverting the goals of the organisation. In our renewed campaign against illicit drugs, we are at a stage of ramped-up interdiction against cannabis, opioids, and other psychoactive substances.
“We cannot afford to decelerate our effort and we will not tolerate sabotage from within. What that means is that the injection of an additional 5, 000 officers must have an immediate and far-reaching impact on the campaign. In other words: everyone must make their effort count.”
Addressing the personnel further, he revealed that; “We have seen the truth come back full circle in the past few weeks, whereby some of the world’s known abusers of cannabis have come out to tell the public they are either quitting or have been diagnosed with some ailment, notably emphysema, which puts them at risk of early death and mental harm. That should further add impetus to our collective effort to rid our society of the menace of cannabis and other such dangerous substances.”
He continued: “For us in NDLEA, we hold our duty sacrosanct, and our duty is to do everything within the ambit of the law to cleanse our society of the menace of illicit substances. We have shifted gears to become proactive by creating a number of goal-oriented programmes and efficient mechanisms, such as Offensive Action and War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy.”
Similarly, he alerted the new officers that they must not be found wanting in carrying out their duties.
His words: “We are currently on the verge of expanding our presence to all 774 local government areas in the country. What that should tell our new officers is that there is work to do, and you cannot afford to be complacent or compromise the high standards we have set.
“On that note, let me also inform you that you must not fraternise with offenders of drug trafficking laws. Doing so is dangerous to your safety; it is catastrophic to your career; it sabotages organisational goals; and it is inimical to society’s wellbeing. Remembering this nugget of advice and abiding by it will ensure you a colourful and gratifying career.”
He heaped praises on the leadership of the NDLEA Academy and its team of instructors for the success of the training.
“I am proud to say that in less than two years, they have shown their mettle and successfully trained 10,000 cadets. This is historic for NDLEA,” he stated.
Marwa also expressed his gratitude to the people and government of Plateau State; the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da. Jacob Gyang Buba; the management of FRSC Training School, Jos; the Nigerian Army and other sister agencies in the state for their unwavering support for NDLEA.
The ceremony was attended by the Agency’s top officers, including the commandant of the NDLEA Academy, DCGN Hamza Umar, directors, and commandants.
The event also had in attendance the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, represented by the Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Josephine Chundung Piyo; Chairman, House Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Hon. Abass Adigun Agboworin, his deputy and other members of his committee.
Other dignitaries present at the occasion include Gbong Gwom, traditional rulers, not forgetting representatives of other security agencies among others.
