Chairman of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Buba Marwa has disclosed how the agency intercepted drugs worth N60 billion within six weeks.
A statement by the spokesperson of the Agency, Femi Babafemi on Monday said, Marwa made the comment when he paid courtesy to Adamawa governor Ahmad Fintiri while on familiarization visit to the state on Monday.
“In the last six weeks, we have been able to seize over N60 billion worth of drugs across the country, this is huge and enormous. The recent seizure of over 230 tons of cannabis in Edo state alone is the largest in the history of NDLEA and this has been made possible through our maxim, which is, offensive action and the renewed commitment of our personnel”, he said.
He commended the governor for his support for the state Command of the Agency and pleaded for more because of the enormity of the problem.
Also addressing leaders of the Muslim Council of Adamawa state, the NDLEA boss told them the Agency had been doing a lot in the renewed fight against drug abuse, adding that the agency could not do it all alone and as such needed the support of religious leaders.
“Unless we take drastic steps against drug abuse, the scourge is capable of destroying our country and because we have no other country other than Nigeria, we need the support of our religious leaders to prevent our youths and women from getting into drugs. We need you, in your sermons, lectures to talk to our people while we continue to do our best to cut drug supply, ensure demand reduction through preventive strategies”, he added.
In his response, Chairman of the Council, Malam Gambo Jika, said given the damage drug is doing in North America; Nigeria could not afford to wait till the current situation gets worse.
While promising to mobilise the Islamic community in the state to support the work of NDLEA, Jika said “everybody knows your capacity that you deliver on any assignment and we have no doubt that you will succeed in your current work.”
At the palace of the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Mustapha, Marwa sought the partnership of the traditional institution as well as support of the emirate, to create drug control committees in every community in the state in view of the enormous influence of the monarch not only in Nigeria but also beyond the shores of the country.
The NDLEA also met with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the state during which he sought the support of the clerics.
The CAN chairman, Bishop Dammy Mamza assured him that all Christians in the state would support the Agency in its war against drug abuse.
Marwa also met with the leaders of NURTW, RTEAN, tankers drivers, PSN, ACPN and other stakeholders at the state Command of the Agency, after which he met with officers and men of the Command.
