NDLEA To Carry Out Drug Test On University Students, NYSC Members, Others

Mohammed Buba Marwa, chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says the agency will propose to the federal government an arrangement that will see new and returning university students get tested for illicit drug substances.

Marwa, who spoke during a meeting with commanders of the 36 states, federal capital territory (FCT) at the agency’s headquarters on Monday, said National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members will also be subjected to the drug test.

“the necessity for drug tests for all tertiary institutions resuming students, NYSC members, new workers, all security agencies new recruits and random tests for government appointees. NDLEA is ready to help and we must help.” Marwa said.

The former military governor of Lagos and Borno state said the agency will take no prisoner when it comes ridding the country of nefarious drug activities, charging the commanders to mop up illicit drugs across the country.

“All commanders must be desirous of keeping drugs out of Nigerian streets and homes, and so all of you must shape up and get all those engaged in the nefarious business to face the music, and I need results from now on,” he said.

Marwa, who bemoaned the ubiquity of drug in the country, said there was a connection between the scourge of drug abuse and the high rate of crime in the country, adding that the agency would stop at nothing to bring the ‘bad guys’ to book.

“The success we make of this particular task goes a long way to determine the socio-economic stability of the nation. We need not be told of the nexus between drug use, crime and criminalities. The exponential growth of the nefarious drug activities can be directly linked to the upsurge in crimes such as insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping, cultism, political thuggery, gangsterism, rape and other maladaptation bedeviling today’s Nigeria.

He read the riot act to thoss who deal in illicit drugs, admonishing them to look for other source of livelihood as nemesis would catch up with them if they don’t refrain from their diabolical drug trade.

“It is not going to be business as usual. It is a moving train. Please, let no body stand in its front. The train will crush any such person. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. To the unbending drug crime perpetrators, I would like to let them know also that the game is up! It is high time they embraced another trade. The Federal Government Policy on Agriculture is a window for them to leverage on.”

He said he would put more efforts on drug demand reduction as part of plans to eradicate the menace in Nigeria.

While assuring them that their welfare is a priority to him, he said the suspended training of newly recruited personnel would soon resume once appropriate clearance from relevant authorities is secured.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

ACON: Buba Marwa’s NDLEA Appointment Among President Buhari’s Best

ACON: Buba Marwa’s NDLEA Appointment Among President Buhari’s Best

NDLEA Sweep The Nation Clean Of Illicit Drugs, Marwa Orders NDLEA Commanders