The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, has restated the commitment of the armed forces to supporting the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the fight against illicit drug trafficking.
Irabor gave the assurance when the Chairman of NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, paid him a visit in Abuja.
The Deputy Director, Defence Information, Air Commodore Wap Maigida, said that the CDS made this commitment in a statement issued in Abuja.
It said he commended the leadership of NDLEA for tackling the issue of illicit drugs usage and trafficking.
It also said the CDS noted that the partnership between the armed forces and NDLEA would boost the fight against this menace.
According to the statement, Irabor wants the leadership of NDLEA to equally collaborate with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in checkmating unpatriotic licensed drug importers in the habit of importing illicit drugs.
Earlier, the statement said that Marwa had solicited more collaborative efforts between the agency and the armed forces in the fight to rid the country of illicit drugs.
It also stated that Marwa said the visit was to show appreciation to the military chief for granting approval for various support to NDLEA as well as joint operations on cannabis and cartels of drug related cases.
According to Marwa, the NDLEA is now better equipped to effectively carry out its responsibilities of making sure that Nigeria is free of illicit drug trading.
“There is need for NDLEA to expand the collaborative venture with the armed forces, particularly in the fight against drug dealers”, the statement quoted Marwa as saying.
It said Marwa observed that there ought to be collaboration in the conduct of drug test during the recruitment of new personnel into the military.
“There should also be sensitisation of barracks youths to the dangers of illicit drugs use and trafficking”, the statement quoted him as saying.
(NAN)
