- Marwa reaffirms NDLEA’s commitment to combating drug trafficking, linking drug abuse among youths to the rise in criminal activities
- He commends the books’ role in educating youths about drug abuse and calls for collaboration with traditional leaders and state governments
Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment to combatting drug trafficking in Nigeria.
Addressing attendees at the presentation of two books authored by Mohammed Ibrahim, NDLEA Commander in Kwara, Marwa emphasized the alarming rate of drug abuse among youths, linking it directly to the surge in criminal activities.
Marwa commended the significance of the two books, “Look Before You Leap” and “Drug Slaves,” in educating and empowering youths to safeguard themselves against drug abuse. He emphasized the importance of providing treatment and rehabilitation for those trapped by addiction.
Furthermore, Marwa urged state governments to allocate lands for the construction of NDLEA barracks nationwide and requested additional operational vehicles to bolster the agency’s efforts against illicit drug trafficking.
Represented by Dr. Malami Sokoto, the Director of Internal Affairs and Provost Marshal of the agency, Marwa urged traditional leaders to collaborate with the NDLEA in addressing the drug scourge.
In his keynote address, Comrade Isa Aremu, Director General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), advocated for harsher penalties for drug barons. He pledged MINILS’s support in incorporating anti-drug abuse initiatives into workplace training programs.
Engineer Lanre Sagaya, the Chairman of the occasion and Zana of Ilorin, lamented the correlation between drug abuse and the proliferation of kidnapping and banditry. He highlighted the urgent need to address this issue, noting the high prevalence of drug abuse among youths.
Professor AbdulRasheed Adeoye of the Department of Performing Arts, University of Ilorin, praised the books for their accessible language and comprehensive coverage of drug abuse’s cultural, political, and economic impacts.
In his welcome address, Alhaji Mohammed Tunde Akanbi, chairman of the planning committee, hailed the presentation of the books as a significant step towards promoting a drug-free society, reflecting the ongoing efforts of the NDLEA.