In a historic shift aimed at bolstering its tactical capabilities against increasingly violent drug cartels, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has officially commenced the formal induction of AK-47 rifles and advanced pistols into its operational architecture.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig.-Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) disclosed this yesterday during the inauguration of a specialised Train-the-Trainer Course on Weapon Handling (AK-47 Rifle Type 56-1 and HS-9/CF98A Pistols) at the NDLEA Academy in Jos, Plateau State.

Speaking at the landmark event, Marwa, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Col. Murtala Aminu, noted that the development marks a critical milestone in the 36-year history of the Agency, driven by the changing dynamics of the war against drug trafficking in Nigeria.

The NDLEA boss expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to boosting the agency’s operational capacity, describing his leadership as the driving force behind the agency’s operational successes. He also commended the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for its timely intervention in providing the initial substantial consignment of firearms and ammunition to kick-start the training without delay.

MEANWHILE, Marwa has vowed to sustain the onslaught against illicit activities of drug trafficking, insisting Nigeria will not surrender its future to the cartels.

Marwa spoke during an event in Kano, describing the event as “justice made visible” and a clear demonstration of the government’s determination to combat drug trafficking and abuse across the country.

He said every quantity of drugs destroyed represented lives saved, families protected and communities shielded from the devastating consequences of substance abuse.

Marwa commended officers and men of the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command for their dedication, noting that Kano remains one of the agency’s most challenging operational environments due to its huge population, strategic location and entrenched drug networks.

Marwa, represented by Director, Operation and General Investigation (NDLEA), Mr Suleiman Ahmed-Ningi, expressed concern over the growing diversion of controlled medicines such as tramadol, codeine and pentazocine from legitimate pharmaceutical channels into illegal markets, describing the trend as a major threat to public health and safety.