The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, said on Wednesday that since the inception of his tenure, the agency has seized two million kilograms of assorted drugs with street value of over N80 billion within his first hundred days in Office.
Marwa made the statement during a courtesy visit by the Acting Inspector of Police, Usman Alkali Baba at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said 2,000 criminals associated with illicit drug trade have been intercepted by
operatives of the agency and over 350 have been convicted so far.
Marwa further said it was time to renew collaboration to further strengthen the existing working relationship between the agency and the Nigerian police force, adding that a society with less drugs is a society with less criminality.
The NDLEA boss said, “We need to renew collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the NDLEA. Because the use of drugs is now confirmed as a major precursor to criminal activities in Nigeria.
“These Bandits, terrorists, and others use drugs first to give them all courage, fearlessness, capacity to go and ravage communities. So this really the time for all collaboration.
“The NDLEA has remained upstanding and in 100 days, we have made these heavy and large arrests and seizures. This is the time for more collaboration with the Police. We believe the Police will support us with intelligence and training.
“We are very encouraged to have the IG here, for us to join hands to curb crimes and
criminality in Nigeria. And I want to assure you that I will be readily available to rub minds with you, as we need a renewed collaboration between the NDLEA and the Police.”
Speaking at the event, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali, assured the NDLEA of the force’s full support as it is their primary assignment to ensure law and order in the country, adding that the synergy will benefit Nigerians and crime fighting.
He said, “Am here this afternoon to express and be sure and also tell you my approaches, synergy, and collaboration with the agency in other to police this country. Behind every crime, there is always the issue of drugs, and we will synergize cooperation and collaboration. Our collaboration we are very beneficial, to Nigeria and
indeed to law enforcement as a whole”.
Alkali further said the police force will be available to train personnel and support with intelligence tracking to win the war against drugs as many criminals are high consumers of Narcotics.
Marwa however appealed to the police force to hand over any seized drugs to the agency without delay.
