The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has scaled up its preparedness to wage relentless war against drug cartels in Nigeria when 650 officers of its Strike Force unit graduated from the Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI), Jaji, Kaduna State, after rigorous specialised trainings.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) told the graduating operatives to be mindful that their graduation is a milestone in their professional career.
“This specialised training and the skill acquired will no doubt enhance your competence in the special role you are playing for the agency in the war against illicit drugs.
“It is important that I should remind you that as the agency scales its operation against illicit drugs trafficking, your service will become increasingly essential to the successful attainment of our organisational goals.
“The special nature of your training requires that you serve as force multiplier to the conventional NDLEA staff in the field. I have no doubt that you will measure up to the demand of the job because generations of military and paramilitary personnel have passed through this course and have distinguished themselves on the field.
“More so, the progress report I received, including on-the-spot assessment, confirmed that the objective of the course has been achieved. Therefore, as you graduate today, I urge you not to rest on your oars as your competence will be tested from time to time by challenges that will recur in your career as anti-narcotic operatives.”
Marwa, represented by his Special Adviser, Col. Yakubu Bako (rtd), reminded the operatives that the Strike Force was one of NDLEA’s tactical creations of 2021 to add strength and purpose to its drug supply reduction effort by providing cover for officers and men of NDLEA who have to work in dangerous terrain while carrying out their duties.
“The merit of having the Strike Force was evident in the month of February when on two occasions the agency was able to successfully carry our raid, seizure and destruction of a significant amount of psychotropic substance in territories which in the past were hostile and almost out of bounds for narcotic officers.”
