NDLEA Boss, Marwa Reads Riot Act To Drug Barons

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

“I would like to warn those who engage in the dastardly trade of importation, export, cultivation, processing, manufacture, trafficking, sale, and consumption of illicit substances to stop forthwith or be prepared to contend with the NDLEA.”

P.M.EXPRESS reports the above was the submission of the newly appointed Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), as he resumed at the Headquarters of the NDLEA in Abuja with a strong warning to drug barons and traffickers to back out of the illicit trade or be ready for hard times.

He stated that the NDLEA will safeguard the nation and our youths from the drug menace.
“That is a task that must be done” he said.The Retired General, Marwa, issued the stern warning in his remarks during his first meeting with the management team of the agency on Monday.

According to him,“It is the task of NDLEA to stop all these unacceptable nonsense of drug abuse in Nigeria. Together, by the grace of God, we will resuscitate and reposition NDLEA to full active life, to be effective, respected, and feared by the concerned criminals. Nigeria is the only country we have; we cannot fold our arms. We can, will, and must eliminate the drug scourge”.

While condemning a situation where drug use has eaten very deep into the nation’s social fabric with over 15 million Nigerians of all ages now hooked on a drug, he said, “NDLEA will be overhauled and expanded in line with the PACEDA recommendations, existing financial constraints, and the authorisation of the appropriate superior authorities”.

“We will put equal efforts in drug demand reduction as contained in the NDLEA act. We will develop a strategy of work to meet our objectives, following the National Drug Control Masterplan 2021-2025 to be released soon, as our roadmap.”

He assured the staff of the agency that their welfare will be a priority while demanding discipline and dedication to duty from them.

 “I want to assure you all that your welfare will be given utmost attention. The outstanding issues of stagnation in rank, training, and postings, and due emoluments, will be addressed as a priority. Also, operational and logistical inadequacies in the service will be looked into. Discipline must remain number one; it is the bedrock of an organisation such as ours. With my military background, you know what to expect.”

Marwa, who chaired the Presidential Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse, PACEDA, till December 2020, was last week appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as the NDLEA Chief Executive.