By Ibironke Ariyo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), says the recent attack on its image by Sen. Oyelola Ashiru (Kwara South), was borne out of vendetta rather than on any altruistic motive or national interest.
The Chairman of NDLEA, retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, said this on Monday in Abuja while speaking to the news to react to what he said was a derogatory statement by the lawmaker.
According to Marwa, lawyers described the NDLEA as “corrupt and compromised” during the last full session on Tuesday.
Marwa, who was represented by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi said the agency was forced to fire journalists due to the unfortunate development.
He said the agency was committed to responding to lawmakers’ unprovoked attack on him during his contribution to the debate on a new bill creating the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation.
He told the agency he waited a week, waiting for lawmakers to clarify their position on a serious allegation against him.
“But if it doesn’t, the agency will have no choice but to go ahead and set the record straight for the benefit of other distinguished members of the Senate, our local and international partners, and the general public,” he said. he said.
For him, there is no doubt that the creation of another body is the responsibility of the Senate and if we are invited to contribute to the debate we will be ready to express our opinion.
“While we cannot criticize the powers of the Senate at this time, the fact that a member of the Upper House made a categorical, baseless and unwarranted statement against the agency has made us look within ourselves.
“However, it gave us an understanding of what could have been the origin of such a strong general statement.
- “What we discovered was shocking and we concluded that his statement came from a spirit of revenge and certainly not from a public interest or altruistic motive.”
The NDLEA President said pouring out the impression of the lawmaker tested to create in his image, the NDLEA continued to receive praise from local and international bodies.
This is due to the success in combating drug addiction and illegal drug trafficking, he explained.
“In fact, the day after the senator’s statement, the NDLEA in Lagos commissioned a new Naval Command Headquarters building donated by the British government.
“Last year, the same British government donated similar facilities to Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
“We have benefited from other facilities provided by US INL and implemented by UNODC over the past 12 months. We have received a wide range of support, including from the French, German and American governments.
Suffice it to say that in the last three years, the NDLEA has emerged as a regional leader among national drug enforcement agencies.
“If we think about it, an agency that a lawmaker speaks so badly of could not attract so much international goodwill and praise because it is the most corrupt government agency in Nigeria.
“In light of our meeting with people associated with him, we would like to believe that his invectives against the NDLEA were born out of vengeance and not public interest,” he said.
Meanwhile, Marwa said the agency has been professional in its activities and interactions with citizens and has made arrests on a daily basis.
He said the department has made over 52,000 arrests and obtained over 9,000 convictions in the last three years, including three life sentences this year.
And as part of our mandate, we have engaged in over 7,000 educational and outreach activities in schools, workplaces, worship centres and communities.
“More than 33,000 drug users have already been treated and rehabilitated, including the last two people arrested at the senator’s house.”
“Outside this country, the NDLEA has become a reference in the fight against drugs.
“Therefore, the senator’s statement before the country’s hallowed chamber during a legislative debate meant to justify the creation of another agency is motivated by malice.
“This is a gross distortion of facts; and it maligns the image of the NDLEA. We believe in well-meaning audiences; our stakeholders and partners can see beyond this calculated lie,” he added.
The NDLEA boss promised that the agency would not be deterred by the attack but would continue to work tirelessly to dismantle all illegal drug networks across the country.
According to him, if Senator Ashiru has a personal grudge against the NDLEA, it should not be disguised as a matter of public interest.
“Your statement on October 15, which you made in the hallowed hall of the Nigerian Senate, constitutes a blatant abuse of your position as a lawmaker of the Federal Republic.
“And we dare say that this will not deter us from continuing with our current efforts to dismantle all illegal drug networks.
“The NDLEA has been on the path of reforms since January 2021 and so far, we are happy with the progress we are making.
“We thank the federal and state governments for their support,” he said.
He thanked the National Assembly for the tremendous support that enabled the transformation of the NDLEA from a dormant agency to a vibrant government agency.
He also acknowledged the unprecedented collaboration with the agency’s partners, which he said facilitated the work.
“We are able to demonstrate concrete results through our efforts, and these results cannot be nullified by careless remarks by anyone,” he said.
