Senate Committee Pledges Stronger Backing for NDLEA as Ikpea Meets Marwa
The Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics has pledged unwavering legislative support for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in its ongoing battle against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the country.
The assurance came during a courtesy visit by the newly appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea, to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
The meeting marked Senator Ikpea’s first official engagement with the anti-narcotics agency since assuming leadership of the Senate committee, with both sides expressing readiness to deepen cooperation aimed at addressing the growing menace of drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.
Speaking during the visit, Senator Ikpea said his mission was to familiarise himself with the workings of the agency and build a productive partnership with its leadership.
The senator, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District, praised Marwa’s leadership qualities and his record of public service, noting that he had consistently heard commendable reports about the former military administrator’s integrity, commitment and achievements, both in his previous positions and in his current role at the NDLEA.
According to him, the agency’s efforts under Marwa’s leadership have yielded remarkable results, making collaboration with the NDLEA imperative.
He said many young Nigerians had fallen victim to drug abuse and stressed the need for comprehensive rehabilitation programmes to help them recover, while also intensifying preventive measures through nationwide awareness campaigns and sensitisation initiatives.
Ikpea pledged that the Senate Committee would provide the necessary legislative backing and support required to strengthen the fight against drugs.
He noted that while the NDLEA had been performing creditably, the agency required greater support and resources to effectively tackle the challenge, assuring that the National Assembly would work towards enacting and strengthening laws capable of curbing the country’s drug problem.
“We are happy to work with you and support you in all of these because we know you’re already doing a great job but not getting as much as you need to do the work. So, we will partner with you through legislative support and necessary laws to subdue the drug problem in our country,” the senator said.
Responding, Marwa expressed appreciation to Senator Ikpea for the visit and congratulated him on his appointment as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics.
The NDLEA boss described the appointment as a reflection of the senator’s reputation and track record, assuring him of the agency’s readiness to work closely with the committee in advancing the nation’s anti-drug campaign.
Marwa emphasised that drug abuse and trafficking remained major global challenges with far-reaching social consequences, noting that the menace was linked to several other societal problems.
Despite the enormity of the challenge, he said the agency had continued to record significant successes in its operations, including dismantling major transnational drug cartels, arresting high-profile drug barons and disrupting criminal networks by seizing and securing the forfeiture of assets derived from illicit drug activities.
He attributed the agency’s achievements to the consistent support received from President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly and the Judiciary.
“The drug problem is a major challenge that is at the root of some other social issues, not only in Nigeria but globally. However, I must say that we’re doing our level best to curb the scourge and we’re getting impressive results, including the dismantling of major transnational drug cartels, arrest of high-profile barons and weakening their financial base through the seizure and forfeiture of their assets,” Marwa stated.
He further assured that the agency would remain proactive in implementing both drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction strategies nationwide.
Marwa also expressed confidence that Senator Ikpea’s tenure as chairman of the Senate committee would leave a lasting impact on Nigeria’s anti-drug war.
“We’re proud and delighted to have you as chairman of the Senate committee and we pray that at the end it will be on record that you did your best in support of the drug war in Nigeria,” he added.
The renewed commitment by both the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics and the NDLEA is expected to strengthen efforts aimed at reducing drug abuse, enhancing rehabilitation programmes and intensifying preventive campaigns across the country.
