• Says winning war against substance abuse and trafficking is possible
In a recent address at the Jayhawk Welcome Centre, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, US, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), emphasized the importance of global commitment in the battle against illicit drugs.
Speaking at the 2023 Marwa Africana Lecture Series, organized by the Department of African and African-American Studies, Marwa outlined Nigeria’s efforts to combat the drug scourge.
Marwa highlighted the significant strides made by Nigeria in curbing the influx of drugs into the country through intelligence sharing and robust border controls.
He underlined that Nigeria had been actively involved in a relentless anti-illicit drug campaign for over 33 months, guided by global best practices and the UNODC’s Whole-of-Society approach.
Despite remarkable progress, Marwa acknowledged that the campaign remains a work in progress.
He credited the support of international partners, friendly governments, the Nigerian government, and the Nigerian people for bolstering their conviction that a drug-free society is achievable.
Marwa emphasized that the fight against illicit drugs requires a global commitment, and NDLEA and Nigeria are dedicated to fulfilling their part of the bargain.
Marwa explained that the choice of the term “War on drugs” is reflective of the urgent need for drastic measures against the looming illicit drug crisis, emphasizing that the campaign adheres to global best practices.
Highlighting NDLEA’s strategic steps, Marwa mentioned their commitment to innovation in every aspect of their activities, including upgraded standard operating procedures, sophisticated tools, and treatment paradigms.
He mentioned the establishment of a drug abuse tele-therapy center, offering round-the-clock assistance to drug users, their families, and associates.
Furthermore, Marwa stressed the importance of international collaboration and partnerships, citing cooperative efforts with agencies such as INL and DEA in the United States, Narcotics Control Bureau of India, UK Border Force, NCA, Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt, and the French Police.
The lecture was followed by an interactive session during which Marwa responded to questions from the audience, particularly Nigerians who expressed appreciation for the Nigerian government’s efforts to combat the drug scourge.
Other speakers at the event, including Dr. Shawn Leigh Alexander, Dr. Peter Ukpokodu, Dr. Dorthy Pennington, and Dr. Amal El Haimeur from the University of Kansas, commended Marwa for his leadership and dedication to Nigeria and humanity.
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