We Are Making Progress to End Illegal Drugs in FCT, Says NDLEA Commander

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Federal Capital Territory command has said the The fight against illegal drug use and trafficking in Nigeria is showing progress

This was revealed in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja by the Commander of Narcotics for the Federal Capital Territory, Kabir Tsakuwa.

Tsakuwa stated that all three branches of the government had been working hard to ensure that there was no drug abuse or trafficking in the nation.

According to him, the Regional Academy for Drug Control in Jos is currently training about 2,500 cadets.

He added that another 2,500 cadets had recently finished their training at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) College in Katsina to become Narcotic Agents and Narcotic Assistants.

All of this, he claimed, was done to increase the agency’s manpower so that it could combat the threat plaguing the region.

The agency recently hosted the 31st meeting of all Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Africa (HONLAF) in Abuja with the full backing of the Federal Government, the man claimed.

He claims that in addition to assuring the NDLEA, the country, and the international community of his commitment to the country’s fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, President Bola Tinubu also promised to provide the agency with tools.

The National Assembly is currently considering a proposal to amend the agency Act, which will help the nation’s efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in illicit substances.

Since the amendments will include harsh punishments for drug offenses, the effort will also deter the trafficking of illegal drugs.

“This one-of-a-kind effort demonstrates the Federal government’s extraordinary commitment to the war on drugs.

“This is done through its legislative branch, keeping in mind that the drug trafficking trend is dynamic and necessitates periodic amendments to our legal system,” he said.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration had also been giving the command a lot of unwavering support, according to Tsakuwa.

This, he continued, had assisted the agency in ensuring that the region and some “black spots” were free of drug dealers, and he thanked the FCTA for supporting the NDLEA FCT Command.

Tsakuwa assured Mr. Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, that the command was prepared and dedicated to ridding the FCT and its surroundings of drug abuse and illegal trade.

The security of the FCT was one of the minister’s top priorities, he claimed, when he took office.

“Having established that drug has nexus with other criminalities, ranging from terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, etc., the command will continue to effectively play its critical role in achieving the overall security of the FCT,” he said.

The NDLEA boss claimed that because the Judges handled all of the agency’s cases promptly, the command had a strong relationship with the Judiciary as well.

It allowed for the level of conviction that the command had recorded within the year, according to Tsakuwa.

“We shall continue to leverage our friendly relationship to record more arrests and seizures for the overall safety of the Federal Capital,” he said.

NAN.