…PARTNERSHIP WITH MILITARY WILL SPELL DOOM FOR DRUG CARTELS— MARWA
Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), on Thursday expressed confidence that the ongoing collaboration with stakeholders in the security sector, especially the military, will generate effective results.
The drug Czar stated this during the handover ceremony of two Epenal boats and other operational equipment by the Nigerian Navy to the NDLEA at the Western Naval Command, Headquarters, Apapa Lagos.
Gen. Marwa stated that robust synergy between the anti-narcotic agency and other stakeholders, especially the military will further tighten the noose on drug cartels and spell doom for their activities in the country.
The NDLEA boss, while recieving the equipment, described the gesture as symbolic and beginning of an era of stronger ties between both institutions.
“The Agency is determined to cripple the activities of drug cartels on every front. We do not doubt that the combination of naval and narcotics strategies will spell doom for drug barons in the coming days.
“NDLEA will continue to partner with relevant stakeholders as we tighten the noose on drug criminals”, he declared.
According to him, he was particularly pleased with the prompt response to his request for matériel that could help to strengthen the Marine Unit of NDLEA, as part of a sweeping effort to protect Nigerian waters from the trafficking of illicit drug substances.
“The synergy between the Navy and NDLEA, as exemplified by this ceremony, is a testament that we are winning the drug war on the waterfront within the broad goal of preventing drug cartels from smuggling narcotics into our country through airports, land borders, and seaports.
“We have come to a point where security organisations can longer afford to work in silos. Illicit drug trafficking, as a transnational organised crime, requires the deployment of intelligence and close-knit collaboration with key stakeholders like the Nigerian Navy and other security organisations.
“In our effort to stem the tide of narcotic drugs, we have gone the extra mile and that includes the pursuit of synergy with organisations in the security sector.”
He highlighted some of the gains of partnership with other stakeholders in 2021.
“And so far, our efforts in one year showed that the strategy is effective. In 2021, we recorded the arrest of more than 12,300 suspected drug offenders, including seven drug barons with 1,400 drug traffickers jailed. We were able also to counsel and rehabilitate 8,000 drug users and in the same period, also, we mopped up over 3.4 million kilograms of assorted drugs.
“Interestingly, drugs and illicit proceeds of drug crime worth N130 billion were successfully recovered.
“This year equally started on an excellent footing. We broke our first quarter operational record with the arrest of over 3,539 suspected drug traffickers (including rogue security personnel and a well-known billionaire baron) and the seizure of more than 65,916 kilograms of drugs”, he stated.
Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, in a statement said the NDLEA’s boss thank the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Leo Irabor and other service chiefs for supporting the nation’s drug fight.
The statement further stated that Gen. Marwa, represented by the Agency’s Director of Seaports Operations, Omolade Faboyede, expressed confidence of the outcome of the event.
“This partnership with the Nigerian Navy will produce more outstanding results in our country’s fight against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.” He said.
Faboyede expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of Rear Admiral, Awwal Zubairu Gambo, adding that together they can achieve more success.
“I would like to close with the words of Helen Keller: “Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.” He quoted.
The CNS, Vice Admiral Gambo, equally represented by the Ag. Flag Officer, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral HUF Kaoje, in his remark said the support for the Agency was to enhance its efforts to fight the drug scourge and boost its capability to curb illicit drug activities on the waterways.
According to the Naval chief, the Navy is determined to continue to support the Agency as a major stakeholder in national development.
