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NDLEA Seizes Over N450bn Drugs, Others From Barons, Traffickers In 22 Months

Published

4 years ago

December 21, 2022

Ireporteronline

NDLEA Seizes Over N450bn Drugs, Others From Barons, Traffickers In 22 Months

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed that it has seized over N450 billion in drugs and non-drugs from drug traffickers and barons in the last 22 months.

During the same time period, over 100 million pills of pharmaceutical opioid tramadol were seized, which could have had a negative impact on Nigeria’s youth population and national productivity, according to the agency’s Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd), in Abuja yesterday.

Marwa made the disclosure during the Command’s Awards/Commendations and decoration of newly promoted officers at its headquarters.

According to him, “Within the period under review, the agency arrested 23,907 drug traffickers including 29 barons. Our seizure was over 5,500 tons or 5.5 million kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs, which together with cash seized are worth over N450 billion.

“In the same period, we have taken the fight to the doorsteps of cannabis growers by destroying 772. 5 hectares of cannabis farms. In these 22 months, we have record convictions of 3, 434 offenders. We have equally made good strides in our drug demand reduction efforts where the number of those counselled and rehabilitated is 16,114.

“The figures are mere statistics until you view them through the lens of human impact and the good or harm that could have come to the society, the impact on public health, security as well as law and order if those dangerous drugs had gone to the street. “Take, for instance, the 100 million pills of tramadol seized in the past 22 months. If those pills had gone into circulation and ended up in the hands of young people, it would take a heavy toll on lives, families, productivity and, ultimately, the GDP of the country because it will affect these young people who are the engine room of productivity.”

Marwa, while justifying the reason behind the award and promotion of staff, said, “there is no gainsaying that our dedication to duty has been the driving force behind our good performance; at the same time, it is also not an exaggeration to say that our good performance is catalysed by motivation.

“As proven right by events in the past 24 months, management’s decision to deploy multi-pronged motivational mechanism to improve the organisation’s work ethic is part of the recipe for the resurgence of the agency and the resultant spectacular performance.

“On that score, management is committed to doing everything possible to improve productivity on the job. Part of that effort is why we are here today, namely the Commands Awards and Commendations.

“We usually calculate our performance as monthly, quarterly or yearly appraisals. But drug law enforcement is generally a continuum, hence, I am wont to always appraise our efforts from January 2021, when we began far-reaching reforms, reviewed our strategies and rejigged the existing systems to accommodate innovations.

“From then till now, we have been on an upward trajectory and indeed, what we have done in the last 22 months, from January 2021 to October 2022, based on the available statistics, is cause for celebration.”

Marwa while praising President Muhammadu Buhari for his relentless support for the agency to succeed in its given assignment, led the gathering to offer a birthday song to celebrate the president on his 80th birthday.

He charged the officers who were promoted and those who got commendation awards to rededicate themselves while assuring others with such expectations to be hopeful.

“I charge you to take this award as a testament to your professional progress. Beyond that, that you are here today should also be taken as a challenge to surpass your record every quarter and to be resolute to always be part of this bi-annual ceremony.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed that in the last 22 months, it has seized over N450 billion in drugs and non-drugs from drug traffickers and barons.

Within the same time frame, over 100 million pills of pharmaceutical opioid tramadol were seized, which could have had a negative impact on Nigeria’s youth population and national productivity, according to the agency’s Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd), in Abuja yesterday.

“What that means is that it is not everybody that deserves a promotion that gets it. From certain ranks, there is a limited vacancy in upward mobility.

“That brings me to this important point: to those whose expectations were not met in the just concluded promotion and harmonisation exercise, I am saying that the process is still on going as management is working to address some complaints. We will continue to put everyone concerned into consideration as soon as there are openings at the higher level,” he added.

He however charged officers not to rest on their oars while also urging them to abstain from any action that could undermine the collective interest of the agency in ridding the country of illicit substance abuse and trafficking.

“I am obligated to give kudos for the good job you have done this year. This year’s performance is a testament to the fact that what we achieved last year was not a fluke. I enjoined us to keep up the good work, but remember, we are on a long journey, there is still long mileage to cover and there is room for improvement.

“Importantly, do not abuse the trust reposed in us by the public. I want to assure you that management is taking care of your welfare, professionalism and work entitlement.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has done this in terms of welfare packages with his approval of a number of incentives. The barrack project is also in full swing. These are indications that the future is bright for NDLEA officers.

“Therefore, we cannot afford to have officers that cross the lines in terms of temptations. You have got nothing to fear whether now or in retirement because we now have a good welfare package that should take care of you and your family on the job or in retirement,” he added.