The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea, has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of the National Assembly’s full support in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the country.
Senator Ikpea gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
The lawmaker, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District, said his visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with the agency and learning from its experiences in combating the growing menace of drug abuse and trafficking.
He praised Marwa’s leadership record, citing his achievements as former Military Governor of the old Borno State, Military Administrator of Lagos State, and his ongoing efforts in transforming the NDLEA.
“I have heard many positive things about you as a sincere, straightforward, passionate and committed leader. Your achievements in public service and your current impact at the NDLEA are commendable,” Ikpea said.
He stressed the need to rescue young Nigerians from the dangers of drug abuse through rehabilitation programmes and preventive measures such as public awareness campaigns and sensitisation initiatives.
According to him, the Senate Committee is committed to supporting the agency through legislative interventions and the enactment of laws that will strengthen Nigeria’s response to drug-related crimes.
“We are happy to work with you and support your efforts. We know you are doing a great job, and we will provide the necessary legislative backing to help subdue the drug problem in our country,” he added.
Responding, Marwa thanked the senator for the visit and pledged the agency’s readiness to work closely with the Senate Committee to advance the anti-drug campaign.
He congratulated Ikpea on his appointment as chairman of the committee, describing him as a man of integrity whose emergence was a reflection of his track record.
Marwa noted that the drug problem remains one of the major challenges facing societies worldwide, but said the NDLEA has continued to record significant successes in its operations.
He highlighted the agency’s achievements, including the dismantling of major transnational drug cartels, the arrest of high-profile drug barons, and the seizure and forfeiture of assets linked to illicit drug activities.
The NDLEA boss attributed these successes to the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the judiciary.
“The drug problem is at the root of many social challenges, not only in Nigeria but globally. We are doing our utmost to curb the scourge and have recorded impressive results,” Marwa said.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustaining both drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts nationwide.
Marwa expressed optimism about working with the new Senate Committee leadership, saying history would remember Senator Ikpea’s contributions to the nation’s anti-drug campaign.
The meeting underscored the growing partnership between the legislature and the NDLEA as Nigeria intensifies efforts to tackle drug abuse, rehabilitate victims, and dismantle criminal networks involved in illicit drug trafficking.
