NDLEA Promotes 5,042 Officers, Establishes New Commands, and Deploys Body Cameras

By Iyojo Ameh

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has approved the promotion of 5,042 personnel. This promotion includes the elevation of two senior officers to the rank of Deputy Commander General of Narcotics (DCGN), 22 to Assistant Commander General of Narcotics (ACGN), and 66 to Commander of Narcotics (CN).

This move, following weeks of examinations and interviews for qualified candidates, is part of an ongoing effort to enhance human resource management, staff motivation, and welfare, thereby improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at an event to decorate some of the promoted officers with their new ranks and to reward 15 commands and 70 personnel for outstanding performances in the first half of 2024, Brig.

“I am pleased to say that we continue to wax stronger on this journey we embarked on three and a half years ago when we decided to turn around the fortunes of this agency by improving our performance as a precursor to reversing the perilous drug use situation in our dear country, Nigeria,” Marwa stated.

During the 8th edition of the commands’ awards and commendations ceremony, Marwa highlighted the significant progress made by the NDLEA under his leadership. He noted that the agency’s performance has garnered both domestic and international acclaim. “The reward for work well done is more work, and in our case, we cannot rest on our oars until all the objectives of our mandate are fully achieved. The bottom-line is a drug-free Nigeria,” he said.

To further enhance operational efficiency, Marwa announced the creation of five new strategic commands in Lagos, FCT, MMIA, Apapa, and Tincan. Additionally, body cameras will be deployed for officers on strategic operations to ensure their safety and the integrity of these operations.

Marwa also addressed the welfare of the agency’s personnel, stating, “We are trying to keep the motivation going by ensuring that we provide everything necessary to make this work safe, secure, and conducive for everyone working in this Agency. Our new barracks in Adamawa, Abuja, and Lagos are almost complete and will be commissioned soon. The recent promotion of 5,042 officers speaks volumes about our dedication to prompt and timely promotion of officers. It is symbolic of our effort to break the jinx of stagnation, which was once an albatross for our personnel.”

He charged the officers, men, and women of the NDLEA to maintain their integrity and dedication in their duties. “We have come a long way. In three and a half years, we have taken down as many as 50 identifiable drug cartels, some of them important spokes in the wheel of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine distribution in the country and the global trafficking network. We have seized a huge quantity of illicit drugs and we have convicted record numbers of drug offenders.”

Marwa stressed the importance of upholding the agency’s core values of integrity, hard work, and transparency. He warned against any infractions, indiscipline, or corruption, emphasizing that the agency’s high standards must be maintained at all costs. “We will not take kindly to any news of infractions, indiscipline, or corruption from the field or any command. The least we demand of any officer of this proud agency is to be upright and committed to our goals, while management continues to work on our welfare.”

He finally assured the personnel of the NDLEA that management would continue to strive for the best work environment, welfare, and rewards.

Following the ceremony, Marwa held a closed-door meeting with all commanders and directors to outline the tasks ahead for their implementation in their respective areas of responsibility.