In recognition of the nexus between drug abuse, crime and terrorism, the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has reaffirmed its readiness to strengthen partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for a more wholistic approach to combatting terror across the country.

National Coordinator, NCTC, Maj Gen AG Laka (7th Left), Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (8th Left) and other NCTC and NDLEA teams in a group photograph

The National Coordinator, NCTC, Major General Adamu Laka stated this when he led some members of his management to the NDLEA temporary headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

General Laka who commended the relentless efforts of the Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Retd) and his team, in cracking down on drug trafficking and substance abuse across Nigeria, harped on the need to stop all drug barons so as to end the menace.

National Coordinator, NCTC, Maj Gen AG Laka (Left), presenting a souvenir to the Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Retired Brig Gen Buba Marwa (right)

He added that Strategic Communications was imperative in carrying out sensitisation to dissuade people from indulging in illicit drug activities fueling various forms of criminality, including terrorism.

“The potential for collaborative efforts between the Centre and the NDLEA, especially in identification and analysis of psychoactive substances, document verification and financial tracking is very important,” General Laka said.   The coordinator further stressed the importance of this partnership in ensuring national security and the well-being of the citizens.

                                                               A cross section of participants at the meeting

In his response, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Retd) said illicit drug use is one of the key ingredients that exacerbates violence, terrorism and other crimes in the country.

National Coordinator, NCTC, Maj Gen AG Laka (Left), receiving a souvenir from the Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Retired Brig Gen Buba Marwa (right)

He called on NCTC to work more closely with the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and other relevant agencies of government to unravel the sources of resources for illegal arms and ammunition for criminal elements in Nigeria. He assured NCTC of the readiness of NDLEA to always partner to secure the country.