Marwa elevates 5,042 NDLEA officers, gives 15 commands, 70 personnel special awards
By Adeyanju Esther
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has approved the promotion of a total of 5,042 personnel in a significant exercise.
This promotion includes the elevation of two senior officers to the rank of Deputy Commander General of Narcotics (DCGN), 22 officers to Assistant Commander General of Narcotics (ACGN), and 66 officers to Commander of Narcotics (CN).
The promotion follows weeks of rigorous examinations and interviews for qualified candidates and is part of an ongoing effort to enhance human resource management, focusing on staff motivation and welfare to achieve the agency’s organizational goals.
On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, in Abuja, at an event celebrating the promoted officers and recognizing 15 commands and 70 personnel for outstanding achievements in the first half of 2024, Brig. Gen. Marwa emphasised the importance of prompt and deserved promotions as a key focus of his leadership.
Gen. Marwa stated, “I am pleased to announce that our journey over the past three and a half years to improve the NDLEA’s performance and address Nigeria’s drug crisis continues to show positive results.
“On this 8th edition of the commands’ awards and commendations ceremony, we are grateful for the progress we have made through Offensive Action, WADA, and other reforms.
“Our efforts have earned praise both domestically and internationally, but we must remain committed to achieving all our mandate’s objectives. A drug-free Nigeria remains our ultimate goal.”
He continued, “Our management is dedicated to maintaining motivation by ensuring a safe, secure, and conducive work environment. The upcoming completion of new barracks in Adamawa, Abuja, and Lagos, along with the recent promotion of 5,042 officers, reflects our commitment to breaking the cycle of stagnation and advancing personnel development.”
Gen. Marwa also outlined plans to further improve operational efficiency and effectiveness, including the establishment of five strategic commands in Lagos, the FCT, MMIA, Apapa, and Tincan, and the deployment of body cameras for officers on critical operations to ensure safety and maintain operational integrity.
Addressing the NDLEA personnel, he said, “In the past three and a half years, we have dismantled 50 significant drug cartels, seized substantial quantities of illicit drugs, and achieved record numbers of drug offender convictions.
“We must continue to uphold our values of integrity, hard work, and transparency, maintaining the trust of society, our government, and international partners.”
Gen. Marwa stressed the need for unwavering dedication, patriotism, and commitment to the agency’s goals and assured the personnel of continued efforts to create the best work environment, welfare, and rewards for them.
Following the ceremony, he held a closed-door meeting with all commanders and directors to outline the upcoming tasks and responsibilities for their respective areas.
