Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has warned freshly trained personnel of the anti-narcotics body about the risks of jeopardizing the country’s renewed war on drug abuse and trafficking.
Marwa issued the warning on Saturday, January 29th, 2022, during the passing out parade of 2,000 Narcotic Assistants at the NDLEA Academy in Jos, Plateau state, where he warned the newly trained personnel to be wary of the temptation of inducement in the line of duty.
“It is vital that I repeat at this time the admonition I have given those who have gone before you: Beware of the seduction of filthy lucre,” he said. As you go about your task, drug traffickers, fixers, and barons will try to derail you with money and planned tactics to keep you from fulfilling your mission.
Never, ever give in! Remember that society requires protection from bad actors, and any failure in your job might jeopardize society, including your family, directly or indirectly. As a result, every meeting with the illicit drug underworld should be viewed as a source of strength rather than weakness.”
While reminding the incoming officers of the actions taken in the previous year to reposition the Agency for effectiveness, he assured them that they were joining at the perfect time.
“Let me assure you that you are coming into the Agency at a very good time,” he says. You’ve arrived at a time when the job has become fascinating, difficult, and rewarding. We are currently in an era in which an offensive action has been begun to put traffickers and barons on the defensive. We have also launched the War Against Drug Abuse campaign in order to win over society as participants in the struggle to reduce illicit drug abuse. We have implemented a slew of reforms in the last year, and the Agency has recovered a vibrancy that gives our officers and men pride of position among their peers.
“I must also emphasize that you are a fortunate generation of narcotic officers and men because your employment will come at a time when you will benefit from an increased welfare package that includes life insurance and barracks, for which we have gained approval to begin constructing this year.”
The NDLEA boss, who was represented at the event by his Special Adviser, Col. Yakubu Bako (Retd), also reminded the graduates that the Agency and Nigeria have high expectations of them.
“As the old adage goes, to whoever much is given, much is demanded.” The NDLEA has lifted its bar. Work ethics, discipline, and performance have all been boosted to make our work dynamics more competitive. To this sense, you are joining the Agency at a moment when it is becoming a destination for achievers rather than laggards. As a result, you should be aware that NDLEA is not a place for laziness. We are a goal-oriented organization, and each officer is expected to contribute to the achievement of organizational goals. You can all rejoice in the fact that we reward achievement. With the transformation process that has been in place since January 2021, you can be confident that NDLEA is a good place to be, today or in the future, and that you may look forward to a rewarding career,” he remarked.
The 2,000 are the final of 5,000 freshly recruited officers and men to be trained at the Academy since last year.