Drug war: Marwa gives marching orders to NDLEA commanders, proposes drug tests for varsity students

Mohammed Buba Marwa, chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has given commanders of the agency in all the states of the federation and special commands marching orders to mop up illicit drugs across the country.

He gave the directive during a meeting with commanders of the 36 states, federal capital territory (FCT) at the agency’s headquarters on Monday.

He also spoke on the plan to seek government’s approval to conduct drug tests on tertiary institutions’ new students.

“All commanders must be desirous of keeping drugs out of Nigerian streets and homes, and so all of you must shape up and get all those engaged in the nefarious business to face the music, and I need results from now on,” he said.

“Ours is a national assignment. Drug has littered everywhere; every community. We will lead the fight and we will succeed. Make no mistake about it, it’s a collective effort. Our maxim will be offensive action. This means we must go all out constantly on the offensive against the bad guys.

“The success we make of this particular task goes a long way to determine the socio-economic stability of the nation. We need not be told of the nexus between drug use, crime and criminalities. The exponential growth of the nefarious drug activities can be directly linked to the upsurge in crimes such as insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping, cultism, political thuggery, gangsterism, rape and other maladaptation bedeviling today’s Nigeria.

“It is not going to be business as usual. It is a moving train. Please, let no body stand in its front. The train will crush any such person. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. To the unbending drug crime perpetrators, I would like to let them know also that the game is up! It is high time they embraced another trade. The Federal Government Policy on Agriculture is a window for them to leverage on.”

He said he would put more efforts on drug demand reduction as part of plans to eradicate the scourge in Nigeria.

Marwa said he would soon propose to the government “the necessity for drug tests for all tertiary institutions resuming students, NYSC members, new workers, all security agencies new recruits and random tests for government appointees. NDLEA is ready to help and we must help.”

While assuring them that their welfare is a priority to him, he said the suspended training of newly recruited personnel would soon resume once appropriate clearance from relevant authorities is secured.