The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has warned that the agency will not tolerate any sabotage of its fight against drug abuse.

Marwa issued the warning on Thursday in his address at the passing out ceremony of additional 2,500 cadets of Senior Officers Basic Course 16 at the NDLEA Academy in Jos, Plateau state.

He warned the latest graduates that there will be no room for internal sabotage in the renewed war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

While reminding the gathering that the ceremony completes the addition of 5,000 personnel to the NDLEA workforce, Marwa further charged the additional cadets to make their impact felt.

He added that within those 30 years, the world of illicit drugs had become complex and more devastating to society, and the dynamics of the Nigerian drug situation had become more dire.

That was why the 2018 Drug Use Survey jolted Nigeria and sounded the alarm bell on the inevitability of arresting the situation.

Hence, some 35 months ago, in January 2021, NDLEA received a lifeline to rejig its structure and improve its systems to counter contemporary drug problems.

“Today’s passing out ceremony, coming after months of rigorous training, is one of the manifestations of the ongoing restructuring in the Agency,” the NDLEA boss said.

“Having another batch of 5,000 officers to strengthen our workforce will assuredly give the needed impetus to the fight against the abuse and trafficking of illicit substances.

“In the tradition of our noble organisation and according to global best practices, this batch of officers has been trained to be efficient drug law enforcement agents.”

He said they have spent the past months in training, where they have learnt the intricacies of drug law enforcement and know that their job demands sacrifice, loyalty, and discipline.

Marwa added that he has no doubt that the new batch of officers are aware of their position as an important cog in the law and order system of the society.