The Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of its unwavering support in the ongoing war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea, the newly appointed Chairman of the Senate committee, gave the assurance on Monday, June 16, during a courtesy visit to the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Senator Ikpea noted that his visit was aimed at learning from and partnering with the agency. Expressing enthusiasm about collaborating with Marwa, Ikpea lauded the NDLEA boss’s stellar track record of achievements, spanning his time as the Military Governor of the old Borno State, Military Administrator of Lagos State, and most recently, as the head of the NDLEA
The lawmaker, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, lauded Marwa’s leadership during the visit. “I have heard so many positive things about you as a sincere, straightforward, passionate, and committed person, especially your achievements as Military Governor in the old Borno State and Military Administrator of Lagos State, as well as your current engagement as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, where you’re also making great impacts,” Ikpea said.
“So, I’m here to learn and partner with you so that our children who have gone into drug abuse can be gotten out through rehabilitation, and prevent others from falling into the drug trap through massive awareness creation and sensitization programs aimed at prevention.”
“We are happy to work with you and support you in all of these because we know you’re already doing a great job, but not getting as much as you need to do the work. So, we will partner with you through legislative support and necessary laws to subdue the drug problem in our country”
Responding to the remarks, Marwa expressed gratitude for the visit and reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to collaborating with the Senate panel. He also congratulated the lawmaker on taking the helm of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, stating that the appointment highlights Ikpea’s stellar reputation and proven track record of integrity.
“The drug problem is a major challenge that is at the root of some other social issues, not only in Nigeria but globally. However, I must say that we’re doing our level best to curb the scourge and we’re getting impressive results, including the dismantling of major transnational drug cartels, arrest of high profile barons and weakening their financial base through the seizure and forfeiture of their assets, and all of these couldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly through the Committees in the Senate and the House as well as the Judiciary”, Marwa stated.
The NDLEA boss emphasized that the agency will maintain its aggressive stance on both drug supply and demand reduction nationwide. “We are proud and delighted to have you as chairman of the Senate committee, and we pray that at the end it will be on record that you did your best in support of the drug war in Nigeria,” Marwa stated
