The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced plans to increase its presence and strengthen the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in local communities. In a statement issued by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency revealed that personnel will be deployed to all 774 Local Government Areas in 2024.
The Chairman of NDLEA, Buba Marwa, made this disclosure during a meeting with Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State, who had requested for more NDLEA officers to be stationed in various parts of the state. Marwa acknowledged the need to address the issue of drug abuse in order to tackle the problem of insecurity in Katsina.
“With our staff strength expected to reach 15,000 by the end of the year, our next step is to deploy personnel to the Local Government Areas,” Marwa said. “We currently have zonal commands, state commands, and area commands. We want to extend our operations to the grassroots level for both offensive action and advocacy work. However, we require the support of the government and the people to succeed. I commend Governor Radda for his efforts in governing the state amidst numerous challenges. Together, we can remove drug abuse from the security equation.”
Marwa also thanked Governor Radda for his dedication to enhancing the socio-economic development of the state. He appealed to the Katsina Government to establish a state drug control committee, with the NDLEA serving as the secretary and the state’s First Lady as the chairperson. Marwa emphasized that the involvement of First Ladies is crucial as they are in a strategic position to prioritize the government’s interests.
Governor Radda, in his remarks, expressed his government’s commitment to addressing the issue of insecurity plaguing Katsina State. He acknowledged that insecurity has been a longstanding challenge and has had a detrimental impact on the state. To complement the efforts of conventional security agencies, Radda mentioned the establishment of a Katsina community watch corps. However, he stressed the need for collaboration with the NDLEA to address the root cause of the problem, which is drug abuse among the youth.
“We recognize that these heinous acts are fueled by drug influence,” Radda said. “By partnering with the NDLEA, we hope to mitigate the effects of insecurity and improve our state’s economy. Reduced insecurity will pave the way for better economic activities.”
The collaboration between the NDLEA and the Katsina government holds promise for addressing the issue of drug abuse and insecurity in the state. By deploying personnel to the grassroots level, the agency aims to create a significant impact and eradicate the menace of drug abuse. Ultimately, this will contribute to a safer and more prosperous Katsina.
NAN
