The United Nations has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of support to succeed in its onerous task of curbing the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

The Deputy Secretary General of the UN, Amina J Mohammed, gave the assurance when she paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday, March 25.

She was accompanied by the United Nations resident coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall.

The UN deputy scribe said the global body is willing to enhance the impact of the significant efforts of the Agency.

She said: “On behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, we want to reconfirm our support from the United Nations to the work of this agency. It is extremely important; this is coming at a time when the challenges are more complex.

“The chairman has spoken about the needs, and we are very pleased to hear that everyone is doing a very good job and we hope that we can increase the impact.

“From our conversation with the Chairman, the issue is clear, it involves many other sectors. We talked about the root causes, and the escape is often drugs.

“That is why it is important for us to work with the rest of the government to ensure that all people have a right to their dignity. I see this agency as a symbol that wants to do the job, to succeed. This is a challenge we will be here to support,” she added

Mohammed commended Marwa for providing NDLEA with exemplary leadership.

“I just have to commend the leadership you have here, the leadership we have known for a very long time. When we were much younger, we used to look up to the Soldier Marwa, who led from the front with example and discipline. We see the discipline now in your officers as we walk into the office and there is a difference. We need more of that.

“This is the only country that we have. And we must harness the potential through the work that we do. What we want to do is support with whatever that we can, to ensure a greater and better Nigeria that takes its position not only in Africa but worldwide,” she said.

Marwa appreciated the UN deputy scribe for the visit.

“We’re indeed pleased to have you visit us. This will go on record as the first visit in history to NDLEA by the highest echelon of the United Nations.

“We not only commend you for this but also in equal measure your string of impressive achievements, whether when you served as Minister at home or at the global stage where you’re currently serving as Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations.

“Thank you for being a shining light and a good ambassador of not only Nigeria but the African continent and indeed the black race world over,” he said.

Marwa noted that the twin problems of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking remain one of the ferocious threats to public health and national security despite the significant efforts being made by NDLEA in the areas of drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction in Nigeria.

“With the dire consequences of the menace steering us in the face, upon my assumption of leadership in 2021, we have moved swiftly to halt the spiral turn of the situation and between then and end of 2023, we have been able to make over 48,157 arrests including 46 drug barons with a total of 8,350 already successfully prosecuted and convicted while 7,500 tons of illicit drugs were seized from them and 1,057 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed deep in the forests in parts of the country.

“On the other part of our mandate, we have equally put in place a strong mechanism to raise public awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. This we do through our War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, a social advocacy campaign initiative. In addition, we provide treatment and counselling to users in our commands across the country, through which we have been able to counsel and treat over 29, 400 persons within the same period.

“This is why your coming today affords us the opportunity to share with you some of the things you can use your good office and the huge platform of the UN to facilitate to enhance what we are doing and plan to achieve.

“They include but are not limited to the following: Conduct of another drug use survey that will give us a better assessment of where we’re now six years after the last survey; procurement of mechanical tools to destroy cannabis farms as against the current manual system; procurement of incinerators to destroy tons of illicit drugs seized as against the current open air burning which is not good for the environment and public health; support for our Alternative Development programme and modern forensic equipment needed in our old and new labs,” he said. (The Nation)

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