Marwa's WADA Initiative Behind Our Success in Fighting Drug Abuse in Badagry - NDLEA Boss, Fingere

By Dansu Peter 

Commander CN Dinneys Owen Fingere, the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Seme Special Area Command in Badagry, has attributed the command's significant success in combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking to the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative spearheaded by Rt. Brig. Gen. Muhammed Buba Marwa, the agency's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Fingere disclosed this on June 26, 2024, at a press conference held at the command's office in Ibereko, following an awareness campaign rally against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in several major streets of Badagry to commemorate the 2024 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

According to the NDLEA boss in Badagry, the command has significantly reduced the supply of illicit drugs through its operations and interdictions. In the year under review, from June 26, 2023, to June 2024, the Badagry Command of the NDLEA apprehended a total of 194 suspects, of which 48 have been convicted, while others are still undergoing trials in various courts.

During the same period, Commander Fingeri reported the seizure of a total of 10,967 kg of cannabis, 0.98 kg of methamphetamine, 3.576 kg of tramadol, 2.06 kg of diazepam, and 0.3375 kg of other substances from suspects. He attributed these achievements to the WADA initiative of the agency's Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa.

"This year's theme is very apt to the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Muhammed Buba Marwa (rtd), OFR, CON, which focuses on drug abuse prevention, education, and advocacy—a non-kinetic approach to fighting drug abuse and trafficking. The accolades the agency is receiving both locally and internationally are testaments to the success of the WADA Initiative," the statement read in part.

Mr. Owen Fingere further explained that, through the WADA Initiative, the command in Badagry has taken the campaign, advocacy, and awareness to schools, churches, mosques, markets, government and traditional institutions, and Community Development Associations (CDAs). He also mentioned that the command had forged synergies with other security forces like the Nigerian Army, the Police Force, the DSS, the Nigerian Navy, and the Nigerian Airforce, among others, in a collaborative fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

The anti-drug abuse commander in Badagry asserted that the war against drug abuse is sacrosanct with zero tolerance. He praised the Federal Government and the Agency's Chairman for their unwavering support. He did not shy away from mentioning some of the challenges faced by the agency but stated that efforts are ongoing with the right authorities to resolve the issues.