By Desire Emmanuel
Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Buba Marwa, has warned drug barons, traffickers and their cartels to quit the trade or face more hard time during his second tenure.
Marwa said this while receiving the management staff, officers, men and women of the agency gathered to welcome him at its National Headquarters in Abuja.
Marwa was appointed by President Bola Tinubu for a second tenure of five years on Friday.
In a statement by the spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi on Saturday in Abuja, Marwa warned that his next tenure would be hell and bleak for those who failed to quit the illicit drug trade.
“We thank the President and Commander-in-Chief for the special recognition of our collective efforts and the new mandate for us to continue with the war against drug abuse and trafficking.
“For the drug cartels, I have a message: First, this word must go to the cartels. The cartels have not seen anything yet. I promise them this second tenure is going to be hell and bleak for them.
“Drugs shall not pass, in or out or within Nigeria,” he said.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment towards President Tinubu’s mandate, assuring that they would continue to work in line with the Agency’s Act.
“I remember in my inaugural speech, the day I took over, and I said very clearly that NDLEA will be feared by the drug cartels. And that’s just the beginning,” he said.
He urged those engaged in illicit drugs and cannabis growers to look for another business.
According to him, “it is in line with that, that we established the Alternative Development Unit, which seeks to persuade those who are perpetrating the illicit drug activities, particularly cannabis growers, who are our greatest challenge in Nigeria, to desist from the habit, collaborate with us.
“We are going to support licit cultivation of crops that are legitimate, legal, and you can sleep with your two eyes closed.
“But those who refuse to do that can be sure that the NDLEA is up and able on its task of law enforcement.
“You will be arrested, the drugs will be seized, and your assets will be confiscated. So, when you come out of jail, there will be nothing left,” he added.
The NDLEA Chairman also assured that the Agency would remain committed to its drug demand reduction efforts.
