Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has revealed that the organization has seized more than 100 million pills of the pharmaceutical opioid Tramadol in 22 months, which could have had a negative impact on Nigeria’s youth population and national productivity.
At the commands awards/commendations and decoration of newly promoted officers held at the agency’s Abuja headquarters on Tuesday, December 20, he made this statement.
He claims that “the agency detained 23, 907 drug traffickers, including 29 barons, during the time under consideration. Our drug haul totaled more than 5,500 tons, or 5.5 million kilograms, and is estimated to be worth over N450 billion when combined with the cash we also found.
“During the same time, we destroyed 772. 5 hectares of cannabis farms, bringing the battle to the doorsteps of cannabis growers. 3, 434 perpetrators have been convicted in these 22 months, a record number. We have also made good progress in reducing the drug demand, with 16, 114 people receiving counseling and rehabilitation.
“Until you consider the human impact and potential benefits or harm to society, the impact on public health, security, and law and order if those deadly narcotics had reached the street, the stats are merely statistics. Consider the 100 million tramadol tablets discovered over the previous 22 months. It would have had a significant negative impact on lives, families, productivity, and ultimately the country’s GDP if those drugs had entered the market and found their way into the hands of young people because they are the source of the nation’s productivity.
It is undeniable that our commitment to duty has been the motivating factor behind our good performance, but it is also not overstating things to claim that our high performance is sparked by motivation, Marwa said in defense of the ceremony’s purpose. The management’s choice to implement a multifaceted incentive mechanism to enhance the organization’s work ethic is part of the formula for the agency’s rebirth and the ensuing remarkable performance, as events in the previous 24 months have correctly demonstrated.
“On that front, management is dedicated to making every effort to increase workplace productivity. We are present today for the commanding awards and commendations, which are a part of that endeavor.
“We often use monthly, quarterly, or yearly appraisals to determine how well we are doing. However, drug law enforcement is typically a continuum, so I tend to evaluate our performance in light of the fact that we started sweeping reforms in January 2021, evaluated our strategy, and adjusted the current systems to account for advances.
“From that point forward, we have experienced growth. Based on the data at hand, what we accomplished in the past 22 months, from January 2021 to October 2022, is indeed reason for celebration.
Marwa took the chance to lead the officers and their families in singing a birthday song in honor of President Muhammadu Buhari’s 80th birthday as well as thanking him for his unwavering support of the agency’s mission.
He urged the policemen who received promotions and commendations to recommit themselves and reassured others who had similar hopes to be optimistic.
“I ask you to accept this award as proof of your advancement as a professional. In addition, the fact that you are present today should serve as motivation to break records every quarter and resolve to consistently attend this bi-annual celebration.
These are indications that the future is bright for NDLEA officers. “Therefore, we cannot afford to have officers that cross the lines in terms of temptations. You have got nothing to fear whether now or in retirement because we now have a good welfare package that should take care of you and your family on the job or in retirement,” he stated.
That brings me to this very crucial point: I would want to assure anyone whose expectations were not satisfied by the recently completed promotion and harmonisation exercise that the process is still in progress as management attempts to address some issues. As soon as positions become available at the higher level, we will continue to take everyone into account.
He warned the police against being complacent and urged them to refrain from taking any action that may jeopardize the agency’s shared goal in ridding the nation of illegal drug abuse and trafficking.
“I feel compelled to commend you for the excellent work you did this year. The results from this year prove that what we accomplished last year was not an accident. I exhorted us to continue the good work, but to keep in mind that there is still much to accomplish and that we are still on a long trip.
Importantly, do not abuse the confidence that the public has placed in us. I want to reassure you that management is concerned with your wellbeing, professionalism, and right to a fair day’s work. By approving several incentives, President Muhammadu Buhari has achieved this in terms of welfare packages. The barrack project is also proceeding as planned.
These are signs that NDLEA officers have a promising future.
“As a result, we cannot afford to have policemen who succumb to temptations. We now have a good welfare package that should take care of you and your family on the job or in retirement, so you have nothing to fear—either now or in the future, he said.
