NDLEA Gets Senate Support As Committee Visits Marwa

The Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics has pledged full legislative support to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in its ongoing fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

The committee made the pledge when  the newly appointed chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea paid a courtesy visit to the chairman/chief executive officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Marwa, at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

Senator Ikpea, while speaking during the visit, said he came to familiarize himself with the agency’s operations and strengthen collaboration aimed at addressing Nigeria’s growing drug abuse challenge.

He commended Marwa for his achievements as military governor of the former Borno State, military administrator of Lagos State, and his leadership of the NDLEA, describing him as a sincere, committed, and result-oriented public servant.

According to him, “I have heard so many positive things about you as a sincere, straightforward, passionate and committed person, especially your achievements as military governor in the old Borno State and military administrator of Lagos State, as well as your current engagement as chairman and chief executive officer of NDLEA where you are making great impacts.”

He equally stressed the need for stronger rehabilitation programmes for drug-dependent persons and intensified public awareness campaigns to prevent young Nigerians from falling into substance abuse.

NDLEA’s spokesperson Femi Babafemi said while responding, Marwa pledged the agency’s readiness to work closely with the committee in advancing the national drug control agenda.

Marwa also congratulated Ikpea on his appointment as chairman of the committee, noting that the position reflected his reputation for integrity and public service.

He described drug abuse and trafficking as a major social challenge with far-reaching consequences, both in Nigeria and globally, but noted that the NDLEA had continued to record significant successes in combating the menace. According to him, “The drug problem is a major challenge that is at the root of some other social issues, not only in Nigeria but globally. However, I must say that we are doing our level best to curb the scourge and we are getting impressive results, including the dismantling of major transnational drug cartels, arrest of high-profile barons and weakening their financial base through the seizure and forfeiture of their assets.”