President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over the bust of a Nigerian-Mexican drug syndicate and dismantling of a multi-million-dollar drug network.
Tinubu called the operation a major milestone in Nigeria’s fight against organised crime, narcotics trafficking and transborder criminal networks.
The President’s position was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
The Chairman of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), was reported to have made the disclosure on Wednesday after weeks of intelligence gathering and coordinated operations.
The operation was conducted by NDLEA operatives and international security partners.
The agency said the operation led to the arrest of some foreign nationals, local kingpins and several collaborators.
More than $360m worth of chemicals and illicit drugs were also seized during the exercise.
The successful operation, according to Tinubu, was a testament to the professionalism, courage and commitment of NDLEA officers involved in the mission.
The President praised the operatives for their resilience, but warned them not to relax in the fight against drug trafficking.
“I commend the bravery, resilience and dedication exhibited by NDLEA operatives throughout this mission.
“I tell them not to be complacent in facing the menace of drug trafficking,” the President said.
The operation had sent a strong message that Nigeria would not allow drug barons and organized criminal groups to operate freely within its territory, Tinubu said.
The President also sounded an alarm that West Africa has been increasingly becoming a major transit route for illicit drugs.
He said drug barons were using the region to ship cocaine, synthetic narcotics and unregulated pharmaceutical products to Europe and North America.
He said: “West Africa has become a major hotspot in the global fight against narcotics, with drug barons using our region as a transit point for cocaine, synthetic drugs and unregulated pharmaceuticals.
Tinubu said the development had serious implications for national and regional security.
Drug trafficking networks, he said, often drive organised crime, corruption and violence across borders.
‘Drugs Threaten Youth’s Future’
Tinubu also cautioned that illegal drugs pose serious threats to the youth in the region.
He said many youths had fallen victims of addiction and criminal exploitation due to the activities of drug trafficking networks.
“Drugs are not only a critical security threat for our region, but they are also a grave danger to the future of our youth, some of whom have become victims of the trade,” the President said.
Therefore the fight against narcotics should not be viewed only as a security operation but also as a national duty to protect the future generation, he added.
He called on Nigerians to support the security agencies by being vigilant and reporting suspicious activities in their communities.
He said the fight against illicit drugs should not be the NDLEA alone.
I call on all Nigerians to see the war against illicit drugs as not the NDLEA’s alone.
“Everyone has a part to play. We should be alert and report any suspicious activities immediately,” he said.
“Timely information from citizens can help expose criminal operations and illegal trafficking networks across the country,” the President said.
Tinubu said the latest success by the NDLEA demonstrated that Nigeria’s security agencies were ready to confront organised crime and enforce the law.
He said those engaged in criminal activities threatening public safety would be made to face justice.
“This landmark success sends a strong message that our security agencies will not tolerate organised crime and criminality anywhere in the country and that those who threaten public safety will face the law,” Tinubu said.
The President assured that his administration will continue to support the NDLEA and other security agencies to reduce drug trafficking, protect communities and improve national security.
