In a bold move to bolster its operational capacity, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has promoted a total of 5,042 personnel, marking a significant stride in its ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking across Nigeria.
The announcement came during a ceremony held in Abuja, where top officials gathered to celebrate the achievements and reinforce the agency’s commitment to its mandate.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), underscored the importance of the promotions, stating, “Prompt and timely promotion of all deserving and qualified officers remains top on the agenda of my leadership.”
He highlighted the agency’s journey over the past three and a half years, emphasizing their success in dismantling 50 drug cartels involved in the distribution of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.
“We have seized a huge quantity of illicit drugs and we have convicted record numbers of drug offenders,” Marwa declared proudly during his address.
He stressed the agency’s commitment to upholding integrity, hard work, and transparency, urging personnel to maintain these core values at all times.
The ceremony also saw Marwa announce forthcoming initiatives aimed at enhancing operational efficiency.
“We will be deploying body cameras for the use of our officers on strategic operations,” he revealed, emphasizing the importance of safety and integrity during enforcement actions.
Marwa further outlined ongoing infrastructure improvements, including the imminent completion of new barracks in Adamawa, Abuja, and Lagos.
These developments are part of broader efforts to provide a secure and conducive working environment for NDLEA personnel across the country.
Addressing the assembled commanders and directors in a closed-door session following the ceremony, Marwa outlined future strategic objectives.
“The strides of the past three years have put behind us the tribulations of the previous 30 years,” he remarked, setting a high bar for continued performance and dedication.
The NDLEA chairman concluded with a call to duty, stating, “We owe the agency allegiance to maintain its integrity. We owe the public a duty to not betray the trust reposed in us.”
He assured personnel of unwavering support from NDLEA management in their ongoing mission to safeguard Nigeria from the scourge of drug abuse and trafficking.
The promotion ceremony and subsequent strategic meeting signal a renewed commitment by the NDLEA to strengthen its operational capabilities and uphold its mandate in the fight against drug-related crimes nationwide.