The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, said President Bola Tinubu has boosted the capacity of the agency to effectively deliver on its mandate.
Marwa stated this during his presentation at the two-day interactive Session on Government-citizens’ Engagement on Tuesday in Kaduna.
According to the NDLEA boss, drug is among the top three challenges bedeviling the country.
“Over 14 million Nigerians are battling with drug abuse issues. From South-West Region, we have 24.4 per cent drug abuse prevalence, South-South has 18 per cent, South-East 13.8, North-East 13.4, North-West 12 per cent and North-Central 10 per cent.
“These are UN figures, and it calls for serious concern. 12 per cent is high, because in North-West, we have three million people followed by Kano with one million.
“Drug prevalence do not only harm our youths, societies and families, but also encourages criminal activities like kidnapping, banditry and terrorism.
“Tinubu administration has done a lot in addressing drug abuse and trafficking in the country; since assumption into office in May 2023, President Tinubu has shown great interest in the work of NDLEA.
“His unwavering support has enhance our intelligence and boost our capacity. We now have intelligent modern tools, operations vehicles and sophisticated weapons to protect our men and women against drug cartels,”he added.
According to Marwa, the agency had its staff strength ramped up, adding, “we are now we are over 15, 000.
We are everywhere now; the airports, seaports, high ways and the sea. We even have a Marine Command now.”
He added that the good works the agency was doing was as a result of the support given to it by Tinubu.
