The Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics has thrown its weight behind the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), pledging stronger legislative backing and tougher laws to support the country’s escalating battle against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
The commitment came on Monday during a courtesy visit by the newly appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Joseph Ikpea, to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja.
In a move that signals renewed collaboration between the National Assembly and the anti-narcotics agency, Ikpea assured Marwa that the Senate would provide the legal and policy support needed to strengthen drug control efforts, expand rehabilitation programmes and intensify preventive campaigns among Nigerian youths.
The Senator, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District, said his visit was aimed at fostering a closer partnership with NDLEA and learning from Marwa’s experience in public service.
“I am here to learn and partner with you so that our children who have gone into drug abuse can be rehabilitated, while others are prevented from falling into the drug trap through massive awareness creation and sensitisation programmes,” Ikpea said.
He praised Marwa’s record as former Military Governor of old Borno State, former Military Administrator of Lagos State and his leadership of NDLEA, describing him as a committed and result-oriented public servant.
According to him, the Senate is ready to support the agency through legislative interventions and reforms capable of addressing the growing drug menace in the country.
“We are happy to work with you and support you in all of these because we know you are already doing a great job but not getting as much as you need to do the work. We will partner with you through legislative support and necessary laws to subdue the drug problem in our country,” he stated.
Responding, Marwa described drug abuse and trafficking as a major threat driving several social and security challenges in Nigeria and across the world.
He, however, said NDLEA had recorded significant successes in recent years, including dismantling major transnational drug cartels, arresting high-profile drug barons and weakening criminal networks through the seizure and forfeiture of assets linked to illicit drug operations.
Marwa attributed the agency’s achievements to the support of President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly and the judiciary.
“The drug problem is a major challenge that is at the root of some other social issues, not only in Nigeria but globally. However, we are doing our level best to curb the scourge and we are getting impressive results,” he said.
The NDLEA boss assured the committee chairman of the agency’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the Senate in advancing both drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction strategies nationwide.
He expressed confidence that Ikpea’s leadership of the Senate committee would further strengthen the national response to drug abuse and trafficking.
The meeting comes amid growing concerns over rising substance abuse among young Nigerians and increasing efforts by authorities to dismantle organised drug trafficking networks operating within and outside the country.
