United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, has assured of the global body’s continued support for Nigeria’s fight against illicit drugs.
Mohammed gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to headquarters of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) where she held talks with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), yesterday, in Abuja.
The UN chief commended Buba-Marwa for providing NDLEA exemplary leadership, stating: “I just have to commend the leadership you have here, the leadership we have known for a very long time. When we were much younger, we used to look up to the Soldier Marwa that led from the front with example and discipline. We see the discipline now in your officers, as we walk into the office, and there is a difference. We need more of that.”
Appreciating the gesture, the Marwa submitted: “We’re indeed pleased to have you visit us. This will go on record as the first visit in history to NDLEA by the highest echelon of the United Nations.”
Marwa, in a statement by Director, Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi, observed that the twin problem of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking remains one of the ferocious threats to public health and national security.
His words: “With the dire consequences of the menace staring us in the face, upon my assumption of leadership in 2021, we have moved swiftly to halt the spiral turn of the situation between then and end of 2023.
“We have been able to make over 48,157 arrests, including 46 drug barons, with a total of 8,350 already successfully prosecuted and convicted, while 7,500 tonnes of illicit drugs were seized from them and 1,057 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed deep in the forests in parts of the country.”
