The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, says President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government is committed to the fight against abuse and trafficking of illicit substances.
He pledged the FG’s continued support for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to deliver on its mandate.
The Vice President spoke on Tuesday in Abuja while declaring open the 31st meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies in Africa.
Shettima said, “This administration will continue to provide the necessary support, motivation, and tools for the NDLEA to fulfill its mandate. We understand the connection between the success of the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking and the attainment of a number of goals on our socio-economic and security agenda.
“For us, the commitment to the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse is not just a matter of policy, it is a moral imperative. We recognise that a population at war with drugs is not a dividend but a liability. We believe that the future of our youth, the strength of our institutions, and the well-being of our communities depend on our ability to eradicate this threat. So, I must appeal to you to see this gathering as an avenue for the exchange of novel ideas and the development of practical strategies.”
The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), charged his counterparts across the African continent to strengthen operational networks and raise the bar in the drug war.
Marwa said, “The world drug problem, in all its forms and manifestations, affects all of us. The stakes are especially high for Africa. No one country can tackle a problem of this magnitude alone; just as well, the world drug problem cannot be tackled solely through international policymaking; it also requires effective implementation and collaboration among practitioners.”
