National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Charman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has dropped a bombshell.

He said: “In three and a half years, we have taken down as many as 50 identifiable drug cartels, some of them important spokes in the wheel of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine distribution in the country and the global trafficking network.”

“I am pleased to say that we continue to wax stronger on this journey we embarked on three and a half years ago when we decided to turn around the fortunes of this agency, by improving our performance as a precursor to reversing the perilous drug use situation in our dear country, Nigeria.”

“On this occasion of the 8th edition of the commands’ awards and commendations ceremony, we have every reason to be thankful because our performance continuously justifies our conviction in Offensive Action, WADA and other reforms that we undertook.”

“For our modest efforts, we have received plaudits at home and abroad. What that means is that we have to do more. The reward for work well done is more work, and in our case, we cannot rest on our oars until all the objectives of our mandate are fully achieved. May I remind us that the bottom-line is a drug-free Nigeria.”

“On our part as management, we are trying to keep the motivation going, by ensuring that we provide everything necessary to make this work safe, secure and conducive for everyone working in this Agency.”

“The recent promotion of 5, 053 officers speaks volumes about our dedication to prompt and timely promotion of officers. It is symbolic of our effort to break the jinx of stagnation, which was once an albatross for our personnel.”

“To further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations, we are creating five strategic commands in Lagos, FCT, MMIA, Apapa and Tincan.”

“Also in this regard, we’ll be deploying body cameras for the use of our officers on strategic operations for the purpose of ensuring their safety and the integrity of such operations.”

“We have seized a huge quantity of illicit drugs and we have convicted record numbers of drug offenders.”

“We have achieved many milestones without soiling our integrity and I expect us to continue on that course.”

“Our core values of integrity, hardwork and transparency, among others, must be respected at all times.”

“We need to continue to justify the trust reposed in us by society, and our government, as well as our international partners and governments supporting us across the globe.”

“We have raised the standard and it must not be lowered at any cost or by any means.”

“That is to say, we will not take kindly to any news of infractions, indiscipline or corruption from the field or any command.”

“The least we demand of any officer of this proud agency is to be upright and committed to our goals, while management continues to work on our welfare.”

“The strides of the past three years have put behind us the tribulations of the previous 30 years.”

“We owe the agency allegiance to maintain its integrity. We owe the public a duty to not betray the trust reposed in us. We owe our government, and our partners and stakeholders supporting us a duty to get the job done.”

“Therefore, we must not fail in giving the required sacrifice, patriotism, commitment, honesty, hard work, and all the virtues that go along with this important job and service to the nation and mankind.”

“You have my assurances and those of the management of NDLEA that we shall not relent in the pursuit to create the best paradigm of work, welfare and reward for you.”