The Commander of Narcotics for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kabir Tsakuwa, has announced that the fight against illicit drugs and trafficking in Nigeria is yielding positive results. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Tsakuwa highlighted the efforts of the Federal Government in making the country drug-free.
According to Mr. Tsakuwa, the Federal Government has taken significant steps to combat drug abuse and trafficking, with all three arms of government working together. He mentioned that 2,500 cadets are currently undergoing training at the Regional Academy for drug control in Jos, while another 2,500 cadets have recently completed their training as Narcotic Agents and Narcotic Assistants at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) College in Katsina. These efforts are aimed at strengthening the manpower of the agency in the fight against drug-related crimes in the FCT.
In September, the NDLEA hosted the 31st meeting of all Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies in Africa (HONLAF) in Abuja. This event, fully supported by the Federal Government, demonstrated their commitment to the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. President Bola Tinubu reassured the NDLEA, the nation, and the international community of his dedication to providing the necessary tools for the agency’s success.
Mr. Tsakuwa also highlighted the proposed amendment of the agency’s Act, which is in the final stages at the National Assembly. This amendment will further strengthen the country’s fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. It will introduce more stringent punitive measures for drug-related offenses, effectively discouraging drug trafficking. The commitment displayed by the Federal Government through the legislative arm is commendable, considering that drug trafficking trends are ever-evolving, necessitating amendments in the legal framework.
The NDLEA FCT Command has received unflinching support from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which has aided in the eradication of drug peddlers in the territory and certain black spots. Mr. Tsakuwa expressed his appreciation for the support received from the FCTA and assured FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, of the command’s unwavering commitment to eliminating drug abuse and illicit trade in the FCT and its environs.
Highlighting the nexus between drug abuse and other criminal activities such as terrorism, kidnapping, and armed robbery, Mr. Tsakuwa emphasized the agency’s crucial role in ensuring the overall security of the FCT. The NDLEA boss lauded the robust relationship between the command and the Judiciary, stating that all the agency’s cases are promptly attended to by the judges. This fruitful relationship has contributed to the high level of convictions achieved by the command in the past year.
Mr. Tsakuwa concluded by reaffirming the command’s commitment to leveraging the cordial relationship with the Judiciary to make more arrests and seizures, ensuring the safety of the Federal Capital.
