Joy Anyim
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is set to tackle the menace of drug trafficking on the nation’s waterways, this is as the agency received two Epenal boats and other operational equipment from the Nigerian Navy (NN).
According to the NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), the gesture from NN followed a request made to the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, for materials to strengthen the Marine unit of NDLEA.
While receiving the boats and equipment at the Western Naval Command Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos, the NDLEA boss who was represented by the Agency’s Director of Seaports Operations, Mrs. Omolade Faboyede, described the gesture as symbolic and the beginning of an era of stronger ties between both institutions.
READ ALSO: http://Don’t lose hope on pending issues for constitution review, Lawan tells Nigerians
Marwa said the ongoing synergy between the anti-narcotic agency and other stakeholders, especially the military will further tighten the noose on drug cartels and spell doom for their.
Speaking at the occasion, Marwa said: “The Agency is determined to cripple the activities of drug cartels on every front. We do not doubt that the combination of naval and narcotics strategies will spell doom for drug barons in the coming days. NDLEA will continue to partner with relevant stakeholders as we tighten the noose on drug criminals.
“I am particularly pleased with the prompt response to my request for materiel that could help to strengthen the Marine Unit of NDLEA as part of a sweeping effort to protect Nigerian waters from the trafficking of illicit drug substances.
“The synergy between the Navy and NDLEA, as exemplified by this ceremony, is a testament that we are winning the drug war on the waterfront within the broad goal of preventing drug cartels from smuggling narcotics into our country through airports, land borders, and seaports.
“We have come to a point where security organisations can longer afford to work in silos. Illicit drug trafficking, as a transnational organised crime, requires the deployment of intelligence and close-knit collaboration with key stakeholders like the Nigerian Navy and other security organisations.
“In our effort to stem the tide of narcotic drugs, we have gone the extra mile and that includes the pursuit of synergy with organisations in the security sector.”
While highlighting some of the gains of the partnership with other stakeholders in 2021, Marwa said that more than 12,300 suspected drug offenders, including seven drug barons with 1,400 drug traffickers jailed.
“We were able also to counsel and rehabilitate 8,000 drug users and in the same period, also, we mopped up over 3.4 million kilograms of assorted drugs. Interestingly, drugs and illicit proceeds of drug crime worth N130 billion were successfully recovered.
“This year equally started on an excellent footing. We broke our first quarter operational record with the arrest of over 3,539 suspected drug traffickers (including rogue security personnel and a well-known billionaire baron) and the seizure of more than 65,916 kilograms of drugs,” he stated.
READ ALSO: http://Unity Government: Wike prides in ignorance – Chukwuemeka Eze
Appreciating the Chief of Defence Staff (CNS), Gen. LEO Irabor and other service chiefs for supporting the nation’s drug war, Gen. Marwa expressed confidence that the partnership with the Nigerian Navy will produce more outstanding results in the country’s fight against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Earlier in his remark, the CNS said the support for the Agency was to enhance its efforts to fight the drug scourge and boost its capability to curb illicit drug activities on the waterways.
Gambo who was represented by the Acting Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Hamzat Kaoje expressed determination to continue to support the Agency as a major stakeholder in national development.
He said NN will provide basic and advanced training for NDLEA operatives to ensure the effective use of the equipments.
Gambo said: “It is hoped that this gesture will further assist in the expansion and strengthening of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and impact positively on
operational efficiency and capacity development especially for her Marine Unit. Permit me to add that the Nigerian Navy also conducted a two-day training package for the National Drug Law Enforcement personnel on boat handling for full utilisation of the two boats.
He noted that Nigeria’s Maritime space has its share of illegal activities like Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported Fishing (IUUF), illegal bunkering and trafficking of persons and contrabands notably narcotics and other psychotropic
substances.
“The access to international waters as a common resource has made maritime transshipment of persons and goods very appealing for both legal and illegal activities. Therefore, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency needs to get adequate platforms to curb illicit drug peddlers in the maritime space.
“The Agency reached out for the NN for support in its current expansion and strengthening efforts to fight the existing menace of drug abuse.
“ It is on this note that the Nigerian Navy deemed it necessary to make this donation to enhance the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Marine Unit’s capacity to check illicit
drug activities in the waterways.”
The Nigerian Xpress reports that senior officers from NDLEA and the Nigerian Navy witnessed the handover ceremony.