The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA have agreed to work together to tackle insecurity by confronting the menace of illicit drugs and substances consumption.
The need for the collaboration was brought to the fore when the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, paid a visit to the Chairman of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa in Abuja.
TheFact Nigeria notes the Corps’ stance that insecurity is oftentimes attributed to the intake of illicit drugs and substance abuse by perpetrators.
CG Audi noted with dismay that consumers of illicit drugs indulge in different crimes after taking them because it serves as a catalyst for criminals and hoodlums to perpetrate daring dastardly acts like violence, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, murder among others.
He explained that his visit to the Chairman was necessitated by his commitment to national service which is traceable to the impact of trainings he and other Corps personnel received from the Armed Forces.
He further maintained that similar synergy from the NDLEA will help to enhance the capacity of staff while at the same time boost the existing synergy between both agencies.
The Civil Defence boss highlighted some of the mandates of NSCDC, which include protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, disaster management and registration and regulation of private guard companies.
Other responsibilities are protection of Agro allied investments under Agro Rangers Unit as well as mediation in crises situations.
In his remarks, General Marwa noted that the fight against the menace of illicit drugs and substances use was a collective one which required the participation of all security agencies and other critical stakeholders including members of the traditional institution who serve as a veritable source of credible grassroot information and intelligence network.
He expressed satisfaction with the performance of NSCDC under the present Commandant General, noting that NDLEA will leverage on the relationship with the Corps whose presence is felt in all the nooks and crannies of the country to vigorously fight drug abuse at the grass roots.
He also commended the hard work and commitment of the new CG in cleansing the nation, stressing that the new CG’s leadership has brought tremendous value to the name of the organization in recent times especially with the safe school initiative program, the Agro rangers, fight against vandals and illegal bunkerers, fight against bandits, insurgents and others.
General Marwa, who averred that drug abuse impinges on security, urged the present management of the Corps to give more attention to capacity building especially in intelligence, which drives every successful security operation.
He further called on his counterpart in NSCDC to remain resolute and resilient in service to ensure that perpetrators of crime face the wrath of the law.
The NDLEA boss noted that the world was in turmoil where all kinds of criminal activities, especially drug abuse, is prevalent, and thus a renewed partnership with the Corps would help get the criminals to justice speedily and easily.
CG Audi was accompanied on the visit by Acting Deputy Commandants General in charge of Administration, Operations, Intelligence and Technical Services, and Assistant Commandant General in charge of Private Guard Companies.
