Marwa urges global action to end illicit drugs flow

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, (CEO), of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (BDLEA), Brigadier General Mohammed Buba-Marwa, has called for global action to end illicit drugs demand to avert devastating consequence of drugs consumption,and keep modern societies safe from it’s scourge.

He made the call while delivering a lecture to a gathering of academics, mental health professionals and Nigerians in diaspora at the Jayhawk Welcome Centre, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, Unite State of America, (USA).

He notes that to win the war against substance abuse and drug trafficking, there must be a global commitment, partnership as all hands must be on deck

Speaking on the topic ‘War Against Substance Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking: The Nigerian Story, Buba-Marwa said ““For some 33 months now, Nigeria has run an unflagging anti-illicit drug campaign based on global best practices for drug law enforcement and guided by UNODC’s Whole-of-Society approach to the drug conundrum.

“While we have achieved remarkable mileage, the Nigerian anti-drug campaign is nonetheless a work in progress. Be that as it may, our achievements of the past 30 months, relative to the past 30 years, have bolstered our hope of greater accomplishments going forward.

“The support from international partners, governments of friendly countries, the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Nigerian people has strengthened our conviction that the objective we pursue is not unrealistic.

“Now we have before us an open vista where the objective of a drug-free society is a possibility.”

He said the choice of words for the campaign against illicit drugs in Nigeria “is a metaphor that is reflective of the need for drastic steps against a brewing illicit drug apocalypse.” He added that “War on drugs” within the Nigerian context connotes the severity of the situation as an existentialist threat to the Nigerian nation and the urgency and intensity of action required to bring the situation under control, adding that the campaign, is however, being conducted in accordance with global best practice.”

“The UN conventions encouraged law enforcement agencies in different countries to work in collaboration. We exploit the opportunities maximally by renewing and strengthening our ties with our international partners, such as INL and DEA here in the United States; Narcotics Control Bureau of India; the UK Border Force, and NCA; Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt, and the French Police, among others.”

A statement from the agency’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, adds that other speakers at the event include: Dr. Shawn Leigh Alexander, Professor and Chair, Department of African and African-American Studies; Dr. Peter Ukpokodu, a Professor of African and African-American Studies; Dr. Dorthy Pennington, also a Professor of African and African-American Studies and Dr. Amal El Haimeur, Assistant Professor of African and African-American Studies, all of University of Kansas.