The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), has reiterated the agency’s commitment towards curbing the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.
Buba made the assertion Friday while fielding questions from newsmen during an inspection of facilities at the NDLEA barracks in Yola, Adamawa State, which is almost ready for commissioning.
According to him, beyond arrests, seizures, and prosecution of drug traffickers and barons to address supply reduction, 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 (PACEDA) 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 of 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”, Buba said.
The anti-narcotics agency’s boss further noted that the war against drug abuse is an all-encompassing one, which goes beyond the responsibility of only NDLEA.
“The media are in the forefront, the church is in 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 from this country.”
Buba commended the standard and quality of work being done at the barracks, adding that the project was 95% completed. He expressed hope that the facility would be fully launched by mid-year.
“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, FCT, 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.”
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.
