The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Joseph Ikpea, has commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for its recent destruction of large quantities of seized illicit drugs in Edo State.
Ikpea described the exercise carried out in Benin City about a fortnight ago as a bold demonstration of the agency’s commitment to ridding communities of dangerous narcotic substances.
The senator gave the commendation on Monday during a familiarisation visit to the headquarters of the NDLEA in Abuja, where he was received by the agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), and members of the management team.
He said the public destruction of confiscated drugs sent a strong message to drug traffickers and criminal syndicates that Nigeria remained resolute in its fight against illicit drug activities.
According to him, the exercise not only prevented the substances from finding their way back into society but also reinforced public confidence in the agency’s transparency and professionalism.
Ikpea praised Marwa’s leadership, noting that the NDLEA had recorded remarkable achievements in recent years through aggressive enforcement, public enlightenment campaigns and drug demand reduction programmes.
He also hailed officers and personnel of the agency for their sacrifices in intercepting illicit drugs, dismantling trafficking networks and creating awareness about the dangers of substance abuse.
The lawmaker stressed that drug abuse remained one of the greatest threats facing society, especially among young people, with consequences that affect families, communities, public health and national security.
He pledged continued legislative support for policies and programmes aimed at strengthening drug prevention, rehabilitation, intelligence gathering and law enforcement operations.
Responding, Brig-Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd.) described the visit as historic and a clear indication of the Senate Committee’s readiness to work closely with the agency in the fight against illicit drugs.
The NDLEA boss reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting Nigerians from the harmful effects of drug abuse and helping victims of addiction reintegrate into society through treatment and rehabilitation.
