By Paul Michael, Defence Editor, Abuja.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has outlined the efforts and programmes that his agency is carrying out in a bid to end the menace of drug abuse and other related offences in the country.
Marwa, who was represented by the Superintendent of Narcotics from Drug Demand Reduction Directorate of the agency, Owonubi Gbenga, spoke to The Trumpet during a one-day drug awareness interactive conference organized by the Global Peace Advocacy and Empowerment Initiative in conjunction with West African Action Network on Small Arms in Nigeria (WAANSA Nigeria) and Premiere Academy at the school’s premises in Lugbe, Abuja, to sensitize young people on the dangers of drug abuse and misuse to individuals and the society.
He said the NDLEA has in the last one year recorded an increase in the number of offenders arrested and seizures made. Adding that the agency is doubling its efforts in hunting drug smugglers, traders of illicit drugs and abusers to incarcerate them as a way of punishment and reformation.
“As you are aware, the number of arrests and seizures recorded in the last one year increased. And we are working more to get more offenders down and to send them to another home called prison,” Marwa said.
He, however, noted that by way of prevention to achieve a drug-free society, the agency is also engaging aggressive awareness campaigns and sensitization by partnering with non-governmental organizations, civil societies, educational institutions, religious bodies as well as traditional and community leaders.
Marwa said: “In another way, we are moving from school to school, community to community, and market to market. We were recently at the University of Abuja, where we launched ‘War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) club’. This is what we have been doing an aggressive sensitization campaign against the use of drugs.
“We have been working with the Civil Societies, NGOs, community leaders, traditional rulers, religious organizations and the likes, just to make sure we have a very drug-free society.”
While admitting that the agency is facing some challenges in the discharge of her duties, the Chairman of NDLEA commended President Muhammadu Buhari for standing behind the agency to ensure the effective discharge of her responsibility. He said Buhari has been fair with the agency since he (Marwa) assumed office as the Chairman/CEO of NDLEA.
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“There are challenges but we thank President Muhammadu Buhari for coming to our rescue. Since the inception of this new administration in NDLEA, the narrative has changed and by God’s grace in no time all the challenges will disappear,” he said.
Meanwhile, while addressing young people during the event, Director General of Global Peace Advocacy and Empowerment Initiative, Dr Badamasi Sadiq Ibrahim said the aim of the conference is to catch the students young so that they can preach about the dangers of drug abuse to friends, families and neighbours.
He warned that drug abuse is extremely dangerous to health and destroys great destinies. Adding that his organisation will continue to interface with young people to save them and the society from the dangers posed by hard drugs.
“I want to advise you students to say no to drug abuse. Drug abuse is very dangerous to our health. We want to catch you young so that you can preach with friends, brothers, sisters and neighbours that taking drugs destroys,” he said.
The NGO distributed thousands of customized notebooks with the inscription: “Say No to Drugs and Illicit Substances” to the students that were drawn from different secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and participants that were present at the event.
