The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, Retd, has tasked the 2,000 newly trained officers of the anti-narcotics body to counter every temptation from drug barons that will result in them compromising their duties and responsibilities.
Marwa said this on Friday, during the passing out parade (POP) of the new officers at the NDLEA Academy in Jos, Plateau State.
The Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
According to the statement made by Marwa, “You are coming into the Agency at an auspicious time when the management has pushed the reset button and commenced the overhaul of the old system and its encumbrances. Your employment coincides with a time we are putting in place all that is necessary to foster the enabling work environment that makes a career in the NDLEA gratifying.
“Having been given the necessary training, we expect you to make your presence count with impact contributions to the achievement of the Agency’s objectives in its campaign against abuse and trafficking of illicit substances. Qualities such as loyalty, discipline and diligence would help you to have a fulfilling career in a paramilitary organisation such as NDLEA.
“Let me also bring to your awareness how important you are now to society. Only very few occupations afford an individual the opportunity of direct, meaningful impact on society’s wellbeing. You are part of a community of custodians who are assigned the responsibility of safeguarding society’s sanity and safety against the corrosion of illicit substances. And today, I charge you thus: do not disappoint the Agency, and the society at large, and more importantly, do not disappoint yourselves.”
The NDLEA chief urged the new officers and their senior compatriots to remain upright and patriotic always.
He said, “I will not downplay the fact that the world of illicit drugs is a dark and dangerous underworld that must be met with uprightness, patriotism and strong will. That is why we are working purposely to put in place a welfare package that will shield you from circumstances or conditions that may predispose you to compromise your duties and responsibilities.
“Your upbringing and the training you have undergone should imbue you with the moral fibre to withstand the lure of filthy lucre, which is the weapon of drug barons. In whatever circumstance you may find yourselves in the course of your careers, think first about the greater good. And always remember that traffickers, barons and cartels are opposing forces with whom you must not have any communion whatsoever. As you take the first major step as anti-narcotic agents, I wish you a successful, fulfilling career in the NDLEA.”
“In the 32 years of this Agency, this is the largest Course ever for Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics (ASN) cadre and the first in seven years. Today, the fight against illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse is being reinforced with the addition of about 2,000 new officers into field operations, where you will be joining your compatriots across Nigeria,” he added.
While commending the leadership and staff of the Academy for doing a great job in the training of such a large number of officers and men, Gen. Marwa equally noted that whatever transformation is happening in the Agency is made possible through the unflinching support of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“At this time, let me seize this opportunity to appreciate His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, whose political will, support and encouragement to NDLEA have brought about the renaissance in the Agency today,” he stated.
He further said, “You are coming into the Agency at an auspicious time when the management has pushed the reset button and commenced the overhaul of the old system and its encumbrances. Your employment coincides with a time we are putting in place all that is necessary to foster the enabling work environment that makes a career in the NDLEA gratifying.
