The United Nations has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in its efforts to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
Mrs Amina Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, conveyed this assurance during her visit to the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesman, Mohammed expressed the UN’s willingness to bolster the significant efforts of the agency in addressing the scourge of illicit drugs in society.
She emphasized the UN’s support for the NDLEA’s work and its commitment to enhancing the impact of the agency’s initiatives.
“We want to reconfirm our support from the United Nations to the work of this agency,” Mohammed stated.
“The Chairman has spoken about the needs, and we are very pleased to hear that everyone is doing a very good job, and we hope that we can increase the impact,” she added.
Mohammed further asserted the UN’s objective is to assist in ensuring a greater and better Nigeria, both regionally and globally.
She commended the NDLEA for its efforts in combating drug abuse and trafficking and pledged the UN’s support to further strengthen these endeavours.
In response, Marwa expressed gratitude to the UN Deputy Secretary-General for her visit, marking the first by a high-ranking official of the global body to the NDLEA.
He lauded Mohammed’s achievements and contributions as a Nigerian and as a global leader, acknowledging her exemplary representation of Nigeria and Africa on the international stage.
Marwa highlighted the persistent challenges posed by substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, emphasizing the continued threat they pose to public health and national security.
Despite the agency’s efforts in drug supply reduction and demand reduction, Marwa emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration and support to effectively tackle these issues.
He outlined the NDLEA’s accomplishments since assuming leadership, including significant arrests, prosecutions, and seizures of illicit drugs.
Marwa also detailed the agency’s initiatives, such as the War Against Drug Abuse advocacy campaign and efforts to provide treatment and counselling to drug users.
Marwa presented several areas where the UN could offer support, including conducting a new drug use survey, procuring equipment for destroying cannabis farms and illicit drugs, and enhancing forensic capabilities in NDLEA labs.
”With the UN’s pledge of support, the NDLEA is poised to intensify its efforts in combating this pervasive menace and safeguarding the well-being of Nigerian communities,” he noted.
