By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
FOR THE first time since the establishment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) 35 years ago, the Federal Government has inaugurated a barracks in Yola, Adamawa State.
The newly commissioned facility provides office and residential accommodations for NDLEA personnel, underscoring a renewed commitment to their welfare and operational effectiveness.
During the commissioning ceremony on Tuesday, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, emphasised that the project reflects the administration’s resolve to ensure NDLEA officers and their families live in secure and dignified conditions.
He described the barracks as more than a residential space, calling it a “fortress of resilience” that supports officers in their battle against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
“The role of NDLEA in society cannot be overstated. This investment is a call to higher responsibility and unwavering dedication to duty,” Fagbemi stated.
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the agency, stressing that effective law enforcement begins with equipping officers with the necessary resources.
He urged officers residing in the barracks to uphold their mission with diligence.
“The nation looks to you not just as enforcers of the law but as protectors of our shared hope for a safer, healthier society,” he said.
The Minister credited former President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the project and acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for seeing it to completion.
He also recognised the contributions of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State and National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in facilitating the project.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), highlighted the significance of the development, particularly in addressing security risks faced by officers.
“For 35 years, the absence of dedicated accommodation has left our personnel vulnerable. Some have even been targeted and killed at their homes,” he revealed.
He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for prioritising NDLEA’s mandate under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Located on an 18-hectare site in Kwanan Waya, Yola, the barracks includes a modern administrative building for the NDLEA Adamawa State Command, a detention facility, a state-of-the-art exhibit room, watchtowers, and operational pavilions.
Residential accommodations comprise lodges for state and zonal commanders, 80 one-bedroom terrace flats, 120 two-bedroom semi-detached flats, and 60 three-bedroom semi-detached flats.
Additional features include a generator house for uninterrupted power supply, parking spaces, a parade ground, a service bay, and a perimeter fence.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri commended the federal government for its foresight in establishing the barracks, describing it as a critical step in safeguarding the nation’s youth from illicit drugs. “This facility is not just about infrastructure; it represents our collective resolve to protect the prosperity of our nation,” he said.
Representing the National Security Adviser, AIG Rex Dundun lauded NDLEA’s efforts in combating drug trafficking, stating that the barracks is part of the government’s commitment to strengthening national security agencies.
Senate Committee Chairman on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, and House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Narcotic Drugs, Hon. Abass Adigun, both pledged continued legislative support for improved funding and operational capacity for the agency.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, members of the National Assembly from Adamawa State, and traditional rulers.
