The new chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Mohammad Marwa, has lamented over the increasing number of drug users at over 15 million in Nigeria.
Mr Marwa who shared his worry at the growing population of drug users during his inaugural address at the NDLEA headquarters Abuja, also pointed out that about 14.3 million Nigerians between the ages of 15-64 were in 2018 found to be drug users.
The former military administrator of Lagos and Borno states vowed to overhaul and expand the NDLEA in line with the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA).
Mr Marwa also added that the agency would put maximum efforts in drug demand reduction as contained in the NDLEA act and develop a strategy of work to meet objectives in the National Drug Control Masterplan 2021 – 2025 as a roadmap.
“I would like to warn those who engage in the dastardly trade of importation, export, cultivation, processing, manufacture, trafficking, sale and consumption of illicit substances to stop forthwith or be prepared to contend with the NDLEA,” he said.
Mr Marwa while speaking on the welfare of staff, said, “I want to assure you all that your welfare will be given utmost attention. The outstanding issues of stagnation in rank, trainings, postings and due emoluments, will be addressed as priority.”
PRNigeria reports that the federal government stopped the planned screening of 5,000 applicants seeking employment with NDLEA as part of concerted efforts to prevent the spread of the corona-virus spread in the country.