By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE NATIONAL Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has urged Nigerians to rally behind the military as they confront escalating banditry in the North-West.
This call to action comes in response to a viral video showing bandits celebrating the capture of a military armored vehicle in Zamfara State.
The video has sparked concerns about the effectiveness of the Armed Forces, prompting NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), to reaffirm the military’s capabilities.
Marwa also praised the dedication and professionalism of Nigerian soldiers, highlighting their success in containing the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East.
He emphasized that these same forces are fully capable of overcoming the current challenges posed by bandits in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and other affected regions.
He stressed that the ongoing fight against banditry requires public support.
Marwa urged Nigerians to provide moral and material assistance to the military, suggesting scholarships for the children of fallen soldiers and empowerment grants for their widows.
The NDLEA Chief also commended the historical achievements of the Nigerian Armed Forces, noting their reputation for excellence in international peacekeeping missions.
He recounted his experience as a Defense Adviser at the United Nations, where Nigerian troops were highly sought after for their professionalism.
During a visit to NDLEA headquarters, Major General Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), sought collaboration between the two agencies.
He pointed out the strong link between drug abuse and various forms of criminality, including terrorism.
Laka praised the NDLEA’s significant impact on disrupting criminal activities through over 50,000 arrests in the past three years.
He further proposed a partnership with the NDLEA to enhance the fight against terrorism, offering access to NCTC’s state-of-the-art laboratories for joint operations.
Laka also suggested organizing public sensitization campaigns to educate Nigerians about the dangers of drug abuse and its connection to crime and terrorism.
