The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been assured of increased support and collaboration from the Armed Forces of Nigeria in its quest to reduce drug abuse and trafficking to the barest minimum.

This assurance was given when the Chief of Defence Staff, General. Leo Irabor, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Farouk Yahaya, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Azee Gambo and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao met with the Management of NDLEA at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday. 

Chairman, NDLEA, Brig.Gen. M.B Marwa (Rtd) and his Anti-Narcoric team paid an advocacy visit to the DHQ and were hosted by the various Defence Chiefs at separate meeting. 

Gen. Marwa thanked the Armed Forces for their sacrifice, patriotism and gallantry to keep the nation safe and secure. 

He said that his Agency does not in any way or manner take the collaboration and support from the military for granted. He said the visit was to explore more ways to strengthen the existing partnership with the Armed Forces.

He said: “There’s no doubt that illicit drugs fuel and enhance criminalities, hence the need for more collaboration; a partnership that is mutually beneficial because when the problem of drugs is taken out of the security challenge equation, the military will have less to do in tackling terrorism, banditry and kidnapping."

Gen. Marwa also called for more support in the areas of intelligence gathering and sharing, training, logistics and operational back ups.

Responding, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor lauded Gen. Marwa for what he described as his remarkable achievements within a short time in office. 

"The work of NDLEA needs to be sustained and supported because we’ll have less to contend with if the drug issue is largely resolved and taken care of", the CDS said. 

In the same vein, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya said; “We have always supported NDLEA and will continue to do so because we will like to be associated with the successes you are recording in the Agency.” 

He said illicit drug trafficking is a serious crime he prescribed stiffer punishment to serve as deterrence to others. 

He also said there are already standing orders to all Military Formations nationwide to support the NDLEA in operations. Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff also pledged more support in area like logistics, intelligence and operations. 

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