Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has called for enhanced support for Nigeria’s security forces amid ongoing struggles with banditry and other security issues. Marwa’s appeal was made during a visit by Maj-Gen. Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), who sought to foster collaboration between the NCTC and NDLEA.
Marwa commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their dedication, professionalism, and sacrifices in maintaining national security. He emphasized the need for support and encouragement, particularly following recent footage showing bandits celebrating the capture of a military armored vehicle in Zamfara State. Marwa affirmed the military’s capability to address banditry effectively, as demonstrated by their success in combating insurgency in the North East.
Highlighting the strength of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Marwa stated, “Man for man, officer to officer, soldier to soldier the Nigerian Armed Forces personnel are an equal or better match to any of their colleagues anywhere in the world.” He acknowledged their historic success in peacekeeping missions and their esteemed roles under the United Nations and ECOMOG.
Gen. Laka, on the other hand, noted the strong link between drug abuse and criminal activities, including terrorism. He praised the NDLEA’s impact, citing over 50,000 arrests in the past three years, and stressed the importance of a comprehensive strategy to tackle terrorism and criminality, leveraging advanced laboratories at the NCTC.
Laka proposed closer cooperation with the NDLEA to enhance efforts against terrorism, emphasizing the role of drugs in fueling crime. The meeting aimed to strengthen the partnership between the two agencies to better address drug-related crimes and security threats. Both Marwa and Laka agreed on the need for continued and intensified collaboration to bolster national security and combat terrorism and other criminal activities effectively.
