The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has scaled up its preparedness to wage relentless war again drug cartels in Nigeria.

This is just as six hundred and fifty officers of its Strike Force unit graduated from the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, NASI, Jaji, Kaduna State after weeks of rigorous specialised trainings.

The graduating Strike Force operatives were told to be mindful that today is a milestone in their professional career in the Agency.

Speaking at the ceremony, of
According to NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, retired Brigadier-General Buba Marwa, the specialised training and the skill acquired by the officers will no doubt enhance their competence in the special role they are playing for the Agency in the war against illicit drugs.
He reminded the officers that as the Agency scales its operation against illicit drugs trafficking, their service will become increasingly essential to the successful attainment of the organisational goals.
In his words, the special nature of their training requires that they serve as force multiplier to the conventional NDLEA staff in the field.
He believes that the officers will measure up to the demand of the job because generations of military and paramilitary personnel have passed through the course and have distinguished themselves on the field.
He notes that the progress report received, including on-the-spot assessment, confirmed that the objective of the course has been achieved, urging officers not to rest on their oars as their competence will be tested from time to time by challenges that will recur in their career as anti-narcotic operatives.
Marwa reminded the operatives that the Strike Force was one of NDLEAs tactical creations of last year to add strength and purpose to its drug supply reduction effort by providing cover for officers and men of NDLEA who have to work in dangerous terrain while carrying out their duties.
According to him, the merit of having the Strike Force was evident in the month of February when on two occasions the Agency was able to successfully carry out raid, seizure and destruction of a significant amount of psychotropic substance in territories which in the past were hostile and almost out of bounds for narcotic officers.
In his words, in Ondo State, for instance, 255 hectares of cannabis farms were destroyed across five local government areas in a seven-day operation, similarly, in Lagos State, a notorious drug den in Patey, Lagos Island, was successfully raided in broad daylight with over 5, 000kg of cannabis and other assorted drugs seized along with the arrest of the drug kingpin and six other suspects.
He said both operations were dangerous, but the Strike Force unit provided the needed cover, repelled mob attack and ensured officers and men performed their duty safely, urging them to shun any enticement that is in conflict with the ethos of their profession as anti-narcotic operatives.
According to him, anything that would compromise their discipline and dedication to duty should be avoided, saying as an anti-narcotic officer, they bear a huge obligation to remain incorruptible in the face of any temptation that might be sprung on them by drug traffickers and barons.
The NDLEA Chief spoke through his Special Adviser, retired Colonel Yakubu Bako at the graduation ceremony.
About six hundred Strike Force operatives participated in special warfare training, while fifty others had all arms drills training.