The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has trained 2,000 new officers to boost the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in the country.
The agency held a passing out parade for the narcotic assistants on Saturday at the NDLEA Academy in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Addressing the new officers at the event, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa, reminded them of the consequences of compromising the agency’s effort and to be mindful of the temptation of inducement.
“It is pertinent that I repeat at this occasion the advice I have given those who went ahead of you: beware of the lure of filthy lucre,” he was quoted in a statement by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi. “As you go about your duty, there will be inducement with money and calculated efforts to derail you from doing your duty by drug traffickers, fixers, and barons.
“Never compromise! Do not forget that society needs protection from these bad actors, and any failure in your duty can directly or indirectly jeopardise the society, including your family. Hence, every encounter with the illicit drug underworld should be a moment of strength and not a moment of weakness.”
Marwa, who was represented by his special adviser, Colonel Yakubu Bako, asked the new officers not to forget the series of steps taken in the past 12 months to reposition the agency for effectiveness, saying they were coming on board at the right time.
According to him, the job has become exciting, challenging, and gratifying, and the agency is presently in an era when it has launched an offensive action to put traffickers and barons on the defensive.
A Place To Be
The NDLEA chief added that they have equally launched the war against drug abuse campaign to win over the society as collaborators in the effort to curb illicit drug abuse.
“I must also point out that you are a lucky generation of narcotic officers and men because your employment is coming at a time you will be beneficiaries of an enhanced welfare package that includes life insurance and barracks, for which we have received a green light for its construction starting from this year,” he revealed.
“As the saying goes, to whom much is given, much is expected; NDLEA has raised its standard. The bars of work ethics, discipline, and performance have been raised to make our work dynamics very competitive.
“To this extent, you are coming in at a time the agency has become a place for achievers and not laggards. So, you must know that NDLEA is not a place for indolence. We are a goal-oriented organisation and every officer is to contribute his share to the attainment of organisational goals.
“You can all revel in the fact that we reward performance. With the change process that has taken place since January 2021, you can rest assured that NDLEA is a good place to be, now or in the future and you can look forward to a fulfilling career.”
The set of 2,000 is the last batch of 5,000 newly recruited officers and men to be trained at the academy since last year.
