By Ibironke Ariyo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted no fewer than 60 jumbo bags of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, weighing 2,400 kilogrammes in Lagos.
The NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa said this while decorating eight officers of the Marine Command of the agency with their new ranks and commendation letters on Thursday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Marwa approved special promotion to eight officers of the command for their courageous and professional conduct during the operation to arrest drug traffickers and intercept canoes and boats transporting illegal drugs from Ghana to Nigeria via Lagos.
NAN reports that the officers promoted include: Dick Aaron Dick; Alabi Mayowa; Gabriel Ubokikwan; Aso Daniel João; Abdul Emmanuel Sule; Ngabolo Victor Sonpano; Jonah Emmanuel Sule and member Timipa Gabriel.
Marwa said: “Every time we make a breakthrough, it tells the world a story about the new NDLEA that we are working hard to build.”
“It also reinforces our belief as an organization that we are on the right track.
The NDLEA boss explained the essence of the promotion and special award, saying: “In this case, we have officers who have shown bravery and an unwavering sense of duty in the face of adversity on the waterways.”
“They foiled an attempt by a criminal gang to smuggle 60 huge bags of illegal drugs from a neighboring country.
“Despite obvious attempts to thwart our interdiction attempt, our officers were resilient and managed to handle the situation.
“In recognition of their bravery, they are being given a special promotion and we are holding this ceremony to honour them.”
Marwa said the reward system is also part of the comprehensive reforms he has initiated in the last three years to motivate officers to raise their performance levels.
According to him, under this regime, we are introducing biennial leadership awards and commendations and special promotions for deserving officers, among others.
“I must say that the eight officers I will soon knight have demonstrated bravery and devotion to duty and deserve to be rewarded.”
Marwa, who summarised the details of the specific operation, said that the Marine Special Squadron received actionable intelligence at 3am on August 23.
He said they immediately swung into action and intercepted a boat at Alfa Beach in Lekki, Lagos, adding that another boat was also seen.
“However, there were some untoward encounters while intercepting the second vessel, yet in the face of violent provocation, our officers did not lose focus as they moved forward to recover the exposed parts.
“They managed to seize 60 bags of Ghanaian Loud, a potent strain of marijuana weighing 2,400kg. “They successfully arrested a suspect, 30-year-old Ghanaian Hambo Tete, and seized the display boat powered by three outboard motors,” he said.
Marwa said the officers’ action overnight was significant for two reasons: first, it was an assertion that the agency had succeeded in making normal traffic routes through the airport and land borders impenetrable.
“This is why smugglers looking for alternative routes are trying to use waterways.
“The second significance is that these smugglers will find their Waterloo even in the waterways due to the presence of our naval command. Those who have followed developments at the NDLEA know that we now have a fully-fledged naval command with well-trained divers.”
The NDLEA chief said that in recent months the agency had strengthened the command through equipment and training, while praising the British Home Office’s international deployments.
This team of officers made it clear to the trafficking organizations that the NDLEA will continue to work with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders.
“We will also ensure that our waterways are not safe routes for drug traffickers, as are airports, seaports and land borders,” he said.
The NDLEA Chairman urged officers to maintain the momentum of the trajectory and also protect the integrity of the work.
This, he said, means that they must be conscious of their actions and activities in the course of their duty or outside of it.
“I hope that they and all officers will not be left behind with the oars. There is a lot to do and dangers lurking.
“As long as we conduct our operations according to the laid down standard operating procedures as these officers did and as long as we do not compromise our mandate, we will always prevail, without casualties and without mistakes in our actions,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Team Leader, Mr. Aaron Dick, thanked the NDLEA boss for transforming the agency into an efficient and result-oriented organization through decisive and exemplary leadership.
Dick said the special promotion and praise would not only motivate him and his colleagues to do more but also inspire other staff of the agency to perform their duties exceptionally well.
