The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the last five months arrested over 2,180 drug traffickers, seizing over two million kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs.
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the agency, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, said this on Monday in Abuja at a media chat to unveil a week-long programme of activities commemorating the United Nations (UN) International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.
According to him, the agency has also filed at least 2,100 drug cases in court, recording over 500 convictions with 1,549 cases pending in court.
He said that every June 26 is set aside for global action against illicit drugs and that this year’s theme: “Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives” shows the global level of concern against illicit drug usage and trafficking.
“Against the backdrop of the renewed war against illicit drug activities in this country, we must avail ourselves of every opportunity to drive the message home to Nigerians about the importance of having a drug-free country.
“At the same time, it is equally important to make our message unmistakably clear to those involved in the trafficking of illicit substances; the cartels, barons and traffickers, that it is time for them quit or face a tough consequence,” Marwa said.
While reeling out the series of activities for the day, he said that the grand finale would be on Saturday, 26 June, with the formal launch of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.
He said, “The day will also feature a guest lecture and the unveiling of the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) 2021-2025. The theme for this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, is very significant considering the unquantifiable and enormous danger posed by substance abuse.
He said, “Abuse of narcotics has incapacitated the workforce of organisations and ruined communities and societies. It has brought about family disintegration, decimated the capacities of our youths and given rise to all types of crimes such as insurgency, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, rape and violent extremism which have befallen nations including our dear country Nigeria with attendant health consequences on the users.
“Drug abuse as an enabler of all forms of criminality is a hydra-headed monster that must be crushed if we must move forward as a nation. The solution lies in having hyper-efficient anti-drug machinery, which is what the NDLEA stands for.
“We have succeeded in boosting the morale and confidence of officers and men of the NDLEA through practical steps taken to address welfare and career stagnation issues. To this end, we instituted, among other measures, a bi-monthly assessment and cash-backed award for Best Performing Commands to motivate officers and men on the field. Recently, the agency promoted 3, 506 officers who have stagnated in the past years, some for upward of 10, 15 and even 20 years on one rank. One person actually stayed 21 years on one rank.”
On his part, the UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Oliver Stolpe, said that Nigeria in term of number of illicit drug users ranked the highest in Africa and third in the world, thus the need for practical action to stem the tide.
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