The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), said the agency will deploy its personnel across the 774 local government areas of the country as part of the effort to strengthen the fight against illicit drug trafficking especially in the local communities.
Marwa made this known while responding to a request for partnership from Katsina State Governor, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, to subdue the problem of drug abuse and insecurity in the state.
This was revealed on Friday by the Director of media and advocacy of the narcotic agency, Femi Babafemi.
Marwa said, “With the Agency’s staff strength expected to rise to 15,000 by the end of the year, the next development was to deploy in the LGAs.
“We currently have zonal commands, state commands, and area commands. We want to go to the LGAs for the offensive action and the advocacy work. We would need more support to succeed. I appreciate the work of the Katsina governor as the challenges are numerous in governing the state. But if insecurity is a problem and is fueled by drugs, I believe we have to collectively take it out of the security equation.”
The Chairman also commended Gov Radda for his resilience and the efforts he put in place to enhance the socio-economic well-being of the State.
He said, “The drug menace is a huge issue and has destroyed the lives of our youths and communities. It is the public enemy number one, and especially the criminal aspect of it. 99% of the criminals must first have access to drugs and be under the influence to perpetrate some of their acts. That is why the NDLEA under the collective support of the directorates and the management has put all efforts towards the operation ‘offensive action.
“The preventive measure faces those who have not started or are about starting drug use. They are targeted through advocacy and sensitisation across all levels. It is for this reason we structured the WADA initiative from the National to LGA levels.
“We appeal to the government to have a state drug control committee of which the NDLEA will be the secretary and the chairperson would be the First Lady of the state. The first ladies are in the strategic position, because they are the mothers and have the best interest of the government at heart.”
Radda said, his visit to the agency was part of his efforts to solve the incessant problem of insecurity that is bedeviling the people of Katsina state.
In his words, “This synergy is important and I recognize that the NDLEA has been making a lot of efforts in supporting the government. But we still need more support from the Chairman/Chief Executive to stop the movement of drugs and ensure the arrest and prosecution of dealers in the state. We are appealing for better partnership and synergy to reduce the abuse of drugs, the activities of banditry, and trafficking in the state.
“We hope the partnership will go a long way in alleviating the issues of the state and improving the economy,” the governor concluded.