..Asks new NDLEA officers to make their impact felt as 2,500 cadets graduate from Academy

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has warned that there will be no room for internal sabotage in the renewed war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.

Marwa gave the warning in his remarks at the passing out ceremony of additional 2,500 cadets of Senior Officers Basic Course 16 on Thursday 30th November 2023 at the NDLEA Academy, Jos Plateau state. While reminding the gathering that the ceremony completes the addition of 5,000 personnel to the NDLEA workforce, he charged them to make their impact felt.

According to him, “Within that 30 years, the world of illicit drugs had become complex and more devastating to society, and the dynamics of the Nigerian drug situation had become more dire. That was why the 2018 Drug Use Survey jolted Nigeria and sounded the alarm bell on the inevitability of arresting the situation. Hence, some 35 months ago, in January 2021, NDLEA was handed a lifeline to rejig its structure and improve its systems to counter contemporary drug problems.

“Today’s passing out ceremony, coming after months of rigorous training, is one of the manifestations of the ongoing restructuring in the Agency. Having another batch of 5, 000 officers to strengthen our workforce will assuredly give the needed impetus to the fight against the abuse and trafficking of illicit substances. In the tradition of our noble organisation and according to global best practices, this batch of officers has been trained to be efficient drug law enforcement agents.

They have spent the past four months in training, where they have learnt the intricacies of drug law enforcement and know that their job demands sacrifice, loyalty, and discipline. I have no doubt that they are aware of their position as an important cog in the law and order system of society.”

While welcoming the new Assistant Superintendents of Narcotics to the Agency, he said “I assure you that you are coming into this organisation at an interesting time when reforms are being implemented and plans have been laid for the next phase of action to curb drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.

“I must prepare your minds for the task ahead of you. The duties are such that there is no room for compromising the ethics of your profession or subverting the goals of the organisation.

In our renewed campaign against illicit drugs, we are at a stage of ramped-up interdiction against cannabis, opioids, and other psychoactive substances. We cannot afford to decelerate our effort and we will not tolerate sabotage from within. What that means is that the injection of an additional 5, 000 officers must have an immediate and far-reaching impact on the campaign. In other words: everyone must make their effort count.”

Justifying his charge to all officers, men and women of the Agency, Marwa who was represented at the ceremony by the Director Planning, Research and Statistics, Victoria

Egbase, said “We have seen the truth come back full circle in the past few weeks, whereby some of the world’s known abusers of cannabis have come out to tell the public they are either quitting or have been diagnosed with some ailment, notably emphysema, which puts them at risk of early death and mental harm. That should further add impetus to our collective effort to rid our society of the menace of cannabis and other such dangerous substances.”

“For us in NDLEA, we hold our duty sacrosanct, and our duty is to do everything within the ambit of the law to cleanse our society of the menace of illicit substances”, he stated, adding that “we have shifted gears to become proactive by creating a number of goal-oriented programmes and efficient mechanisms, such as Offensive Action and War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy.”

He warned the new officers that they must not be found wanting in the discharge of their responsibilities. “We are currently on the verge of expanding our presence to all 774 local government areas in the country. What that should tell our new officers is that there is work to do, and you cannot afford to be complacent or compromise the high standards we have set.

On that note, let me also inform you that you must not fraternise with offenders of drug trafficking laws. Doing so is dangerous to your safety; it is catastrophic to your career; it sabotages organisational goals; and it is inimical to society’s wellbeing.

Remembering this nugget of advice and abiding by it will ensure you a colourful and gratifying career”, he stated.

He commended the leadership of the NDLEA Academy and its team of instructors for the success of the training. “I am proud to say that in less than two years, they have shown their mettle and successfully trained 10,000 cadets. This is historic for NDLEA”, he added.

The NDLEA boss also expressed appreciation to the people and government of Plateau State; the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da. Jacob Gyang Buba; the management of FRSC Training School, Jos; the Nigerian Army and other sister agencies in Plateau State for their unwavering support for NDLEA.

The ceremony was well attended by the Agency’s top officers, including the commandant of the NDLEA Academy, DCGN Hamza Umar, directors, and commandants.

Dignitaries at the occasion include the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, represented by the Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Josephine Chundung Piyo; Chairman, House Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Hon. Abass Adigun Agboworin, his deputy and other members of his committee; Gbong Gwom and other traditional rulers as well as representatives of other security agencies among others.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters Abuja
Thursday 30th November 2023

President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the appointment of Wura-Ola Adepoju as the substantive comptroller-general (CG) of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Adepoju reportedly disclosed the development to staff of the NIS during the comptroller-general’s parade on Wednesday.

“You may also wish to know, that through the grace of God and by the benevolence of the present government, I have been confirmed as a substantive comptroller-general of immigration,” she said.

She added that the date for decoration would be announced soon.

Anyanwu Ifeanyi, spokesperson for the NIS, confirmed the development to newsmen.

“Yes, she has been confirmed as comptroller-general,” he said in a text message.

On May 29, Adepoju was appointed acting CG, replacing Isah Jere whose tenure expired on May 29.

Stakeholders had commended the appointment of Adepoju as the first south-western, female acting comptroller-general of the NIS, describing it as historic.

The stakeholders said the appointment will inspire female officers to give the best to their careers in hopes of reaching the peak.

The Yoruba Heritage Group had also lauded Tinubu for the appointment, commending him for “breaking the jinx” by allowing a Yoruba person in the position.

The group had also appealed to Tinubu to confirm Adepoju’s appointment as the substantive immigration CG, adding that she has the competence and capacity to push reforms that will transform the service.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cautioned Nigerians against dealing with a Facebook user parading himself as Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the anti-graft agency.

Dele Oyewale, EFCC head of media and publicity, in a statement on Wednesday, said the impersonator has been advertising a telephone line claiming to be Olukoyede’s “private line”.

He urged the public to be wary of the antics of the impostor, adding that efforts are ongoing to bring him to book.

“An impersonator parading himself as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede is on Facebook,” the statement reads.

“The fake Olukoyede has also been advertising a phony telephone line, 08028189925 as the “private line” of the EFCC’s boss.

“The public is enjoined to be wary of the antics of the impersonator, while efforts are being made to bring him to book.”

The development comes hours after the EFCC alerted Nigerians to how fraudsters are swapping automated teller machine (ATM) cards of innocent people.

The anti-graft agency in a statement on Tuesday said the fraudulent practice is gaining momentum across the country