Brigadier General Buba Marwa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has expressed confidence in the Nigerian military’s ability to contain banditry, just as they have successfully contained insurgency in the North East.
Marwa made this statement during a courtesy visit from Major General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, at the NDLEA’s National Headquarters.
He emphasized the need for Nigerians to support and encourage the Armed Forces, particularly in light of a recent viral video showing bandits celebrating the capture of a military armored vehicle in Zamfara State.
Marwa highlighted the military’s capabilities, citing their success in peacekeeping operations and their reputation as a sought-after force by the United Nations. He also acknowledged the challenges faced by the military in fighting an asymmetrical warfare and called for public support in various forms, such as encouraging words, scholarships for orphaned children, and empowerment grants for widows and families.
Earlier, General Laka had sought collaboration between the NCTC and NDLEA due to the strong nexus between drugs and crimes. He noted the significant impact of NDLEA’s activities on disrupting crimes and striking a blow to criminal organizations.
Laka proposed collaboration in areas such as strategic communication, sensitization campaigns, and the use of state-of-the-art laboratories to combat threats of terrorism.