Drug War: NDLEA to deploy personnel across 774 LGAs in 2024
…As Katsina Gov seeks partnership with Agency
By Faith Awa Maji, Katsina
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa has said that the anti-narcotics body will deploy personnel in all 774 local government areas of the country in 2024 as part of efforts to strengthen the war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking especially in local communities.
He further disclosed that the organisation has so far arrested over 36,096 suspects and over 6,043 of those arrested has already been prosecuted and convicted.
In a statement signed by the Director, Media and Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi, said the DG stated this while responding to a request for partnership and deployment of more NDLEA officers in all parts of Katsina by the State governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda to tame the problem of drug abuse and insecurity in the State.
According to the NDLEA Boss, with the Agency’s staff strength expected to rise to 15,000 by the end of the year, the next “development is 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”.
He commended Governor Radda for his efforts to surmount the various challenges faced and enhance the socio-economic development of the State.
“I appreciate the work of the Katsina Governor who despite numerous challenges is 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” he said.
Marwa explained that “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 operation ‘offensive action.
“This involves going out to seize all drugs cultivated, imported or on the verge of being exported out of the country. Over 6,668 tons of illicit substances have been seized in two years, and we assure that we will continue relentlessly until the streets are clean of drugs” Marwa said.
