The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their professionalism, patriotism, and daily sacrifices in tackling banditry in the North West and other security challenges across the country.
Speaking on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, during a courtesy visit by Major General Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja, Marwa emphasized the importance of public support for the military.
The visit aimed to strengthen collaboration between the NCTC and NDLEA.
Marwa addressed the need for continued public encouragement of the Armed Forces, referencing a recent viral video showing bandits celebrating the ‘capture’ of a military armored vehicle stuck in Kwashabawa, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
He asserted that the Nigerian military is fully capable of containing banditry, just as it has successfully contained insurgency in the North East.
Nigerians must stand by the military and other security agencies in their efforts to overcome the country’s security challenges, Marwa said.
He further praised the Nigerian Armed Forces, stating, “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.”
Marwa also highlighted the global reputation of Nigerian troops, citing their success in peacekeeping operations and their high demand by the United Nations.
He recalled his tenure as Defence Adviser at Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the UN, where Nigerian troops were regularly sought after for their professionalism.
He urged the public to appreciate the sacrifices made by military personnel, who have spent the past 15 years fighting an asymmetrical war in challenging conditions.
Marwa expressed confidence that the security forces would soon put an end to the criminal activities of non-state actors in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and other parts of the North West.
Rather than succumbing to the propaganda of criminal elements, Marwa called for massive and unequivocal support for the armed forces and other security agencies.
He suggested that public support could be shown through words of encouragement, scholarships for the children of fallen soldiers, and empowerment grants for their widows and families.
Marwa also praised General Laka for his visit and expressed confidence in his ability to succeed in his role at the NCTC.
During the visit, General Laka emphasized the critical link between drug abuse, crime, and terrorism, noting that the activities of the NDLEA, which have resulted in over 50,000 arrests in three years, have significantly disrupted criminal organizations.
He proposed further collaboration with the NDLEA, particularly in utilizing the state-of-the-art laboratories at the NCTC and organizing public sensitization campaigns on the dangers of drug abuse and its connection to crime.
