The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted assorted
drugs worth over N90 billion and arrested 2, 175 drug traffickers in
four months, the Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, has said.
Marwa disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during a ceremony to present the
best performing commands for March and April and presentation of
commendation letters to outstanding officers and men.
Marwa said the agency had spent the past four months implementing
various measures aimed at repositioning the agency, with emphasis on
strengthening the capacity of its officers.
He said that the agency in return had reaped high-impact, far-reaching
results that left no room for any doubt about the efficacy of the
strategies adopted.
The NDLEA chairman added that the results however, justified the
agency’s efforts saying that the evidence was clear for everyone to see.
According to him, we would not have been able to arrest 2,175 drug
traffickers.
“And neither would the seizure of 2,050,766.33 kilograms of assorted
illicit drugs have been possible if you had chosen to do just the
minimal work across your various commands.
“If our approach has been one of business as usual, we would not have
been able to seize drug and cash valued at over N90 billion in just four
months.
“Think of what a fraction of that could have done to the various
criminalities in Nigeria.
“The filing of about 2,100 drug cases in court with over 500 convictions
was made possible by the collective efforts of our officers and men who
decided to go the extra mile.
“Today, it is part of our records and collective credits that we are not
only breaking down the high walls shielding drug cartels, but also
reining in drug barons.
“So, everyone of you, our officers and men, spread across the country
made the achievements possible,” he said.
The NDLEA boss assured the officers and men that the agency would not
rest on its oars.
He added that the offensive action would not stop until the streets,
communities, towns and cities have been cleaned up of any remnant of
illicit drugs.
Marwa said that the agency would keep up the offensive in the field,
saying that the leadership of the agency would daily continue to work
out effective strategies and tactics to sustain the momentum.
“That is why we have strengthened our Directorate of Assets and
Financial Investigations to go after all assets or funds linked to drug
trafficking which had led to interim and final forfeiture orders on
assets and funds worth billions of naira linked to drug traffickers and
barons.
“Of significant interest is our current investigation of a N30 billion
slush fund believed to be proceeds of drugs,” he said.
Marwa charged the officers and men to sustain the hard work, adding
“reward for good work is more work”. (NAN).