By correspondent in Abuja.
Brig.-Gen.Buba Marwa(rtd).
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismissed recent allegations made against it by Senator Oyelola Ashiru (Kwara South) as driven by personal vendetta rather than genuine public interest.
The NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, addressed the issue during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, responding to the senator’s claims that the agency is “corrupt and compromised.”
Marwa, represented by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, explained that the agency felt compelled to respond publicly after the senator’s remarks during a debate in the Senate regarding a new bill for the establishment of the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation.
“We gave the senator a week to clarify his statement, but with no response, we are now setting the record straight for the benefit of the public, as well as our local and international partners,” Marwa said.
He added that while it is within the Senate’s power to propose new institutions, the senator’s blanket condemnation of the NDLEA lacked basis and was unjustified.
Upon investigation, Marwa said the agency discovered that Senator Ashiru’s remarks seemed rooted in personal grievances rather than facts.
“We believe his attack on the agency was born out of vendetta, not national interest,” he noted.
Marwa went on to highlight the NDLEA’s accomplishments, including its recognition by international bodies such as the UK, the US, and Germany for its efforts in combating drug trafficking and abuse.
In the last three years, the NDLEA has made over 52,000 arrests, secured more than 9,000 convictions, and engaged in over 7,000 awareness programs, according to Marwa.
Despite the senator’s accusations, Marwa affirmed the agency’s professionalism and commitment to its mandate.
“His remarks in the Senate are defamatory and misrepresent the facts, but they will not derail us from our mission to dismantle illicit drug networks across the country.”
Marwa expressed gratitude for the continued support from the federal and state governments, as well as the National Assembly and international partners, noting that these collaborations have enabled the NDLEA’s transformation into a more dynamic and effective institution.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
