Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, has stated that the anti-narcotics agency will deploy personnel in all 774 local government areas of the country in 2024 as part of efforts to strengthen the war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, particularly in local communities.
Marwa made the vow in response to the state governor’s call for collaboration and the deployment of extra NDLEA personnel around Katsina to combat the state’s drug usage and insecurity.
Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, revealed this in a statement made on Friday.
“With the Agency’s staff strength expected to rise to 15,000 by the end of the year, the next development was to deploy in the LGAs,” Marwa added in the statement.
“At this time, we have zonal commands, state commands, and area commands.” We want to travel to the LGAs for offensive action and campaigning. We’d need additional help to succeed. I admire the governor of Katsina’s efforts, as the obstacles of administering the state are considerable. But, if insecurity is an issue that is exacerbated by drugs, I believe we must all work together to eliminate it from the security equation.”
“The drug menace is a huge issue that has destroyed the lives of our youths and communities,” he says. It is the public enemy number one, especially in its criminal component. To commit some of their crimes, 99% of criminals must first have access to narcotics and be under the influence. That is why, with the backing of the directorates and management, the NDLEA has focused all of its efforts on Operation ‘offensive action.
“Those who have not begun or are about to begin drug use are targeted by the preventive measure.” They are targeted at all levels through campaigning and sensitization. As a result, we structured the WADA project from the national to the local government level.
“We urge the government to establish a state drug control committee, with the NDLEA as secretary and the First Lady of the state as chairperson.” The first ladies are in a vital position since they are mothers and have the government’s best interests at heart.”
Earlier, Radda stated that he was visiting the Agency as part of his government’s attempts to address the state’s insecurity crisis.
“This synergy is important, and I recognize that the NDLEA has been working hard to support the government.” However, we still need more cooperation from the Chairman/CEO to stem the flow of narcotics and ensure the arrest and conviction of drug traffickers in the state. We are requesting improved collaboration and synergy in order to eliminate drug usage, banditry, and trafficking in the state.
“We hope the partnership will go a long way in alleviating the issues of the state and improving the economy,” he said.
