President Bola Tinubu has expressed support for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in its fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
According to a statement issued by the anti-narcotics agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the president gave the assurances on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, otherwise know as World Drug Day, on Wednesday, 26th June, 2024 at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
Speaking on the theme of the day which was “The Evidence is Clear: Invest In Prevention”, President Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akunne, enjoined all and sundry to support the War Against Drug Abuse initiative, otherwise known as the WADA campaign launched by the NDLEA three years ago.
“On this score, I wish to reassure you of this administration’s support. The Renewed Hope Agenda places the youth at the center of its focus. Therefore, we assure that our young people are protected from anything that could derail their future or destroy their potential”, he said.
He noted that illicit drugs and substances have wreaked havoc on individuals, families, communities and countries worldwide. In the face of such a formidable challenge he said, prevention remains the most potent weapon we can deploy, as it not only saves lives but also saves resources that would otherwise be spent on treatment and rehabilitation.
“The assignment before us as a country requires that we prioritise evidence-based prevention strategies, allocate adequate resources and foster partnerships for greater impact”, President Tinubu said.
He consequently gave assurances that, “this government will support NDLEA to build on the success recorded in the past few years”, and that they would work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that we have positive strategies for the next national drug use survey that will be coordinated in the country.
He then urged all Nigerians to join hands in this noble cause , saying it is an assignment for all patriotic citizens of the country including religious and traditional leaders, educational institutions, opinion leaders and civil society organisations.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Muhammed Buba Marwa (Retd), said drug use prevention lies at the heart of the agency’s strategy in addressing the drug problem because it is far more effective and cost-efficient to prevent drug abuse than to deal with its consequences.
Marwa, reeling out the achievements of the NDLEA under his watch in the last three years, disclosed that the agency had effected the arrest of 52,901 alleged drug traffickers, including 48 barons, and obtained over 9,000 convictions of suspects in the last three years.
He added that the agency’s offensive action has resulted in the seizure of over 7.6 million kilogrammes of assorted illicit substances, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and cannabis.
According to him, the agency’s success in prosecution is a testament to its commitment to bringing drug criminals to justice, adding that with a conviction rate of over 70%, NDLEA has secured convictions for 9,000 suspects, including drug lords and cartels.
Justifying the theme for this year’s event, Marwa said efforts of achieving a drug free Nigeria is being led with preventive steps, one of which has been blocking distribution channels.
“The imperative to invest in prevention is dictated by evidence-based results that have shown that prevention is far more cost effective than dealing with the consequences of drug use disorder. Because, after all, prevention is better than cure”.
Marwa also said that NDLEA’s efforts have been recognized by international partners, including the European Union, UNODC and the US-DEA, among others, adding that the agency’s collaboration with foreign law enforcement agencies has led to the arrest and prosecution of Nigerian drug traffickers abroad.
“The agency’s drug demand reduction efforts have also yielded significant results, with over 33,453 individuals counselled, treated, and rehabilitated in NDLEA’s 30 rehabilitation centres nationwide.
“This is a significant achievement for Nigeria and a testament to our commitment to a drug-free society. We will continue to intensify our efforts to prevent drug abuse and illicit trafficking, and to bring drug criminals to justice,” Marwa further said.
