Mohammed Marwa, chair of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has tasked all commanders of the agency at different levels to smoke out drug barons still in hiding.
He also ordered the dismantling of all drug cartels. Marwa said this would drastically reduce the growing insecurity and criminality in the country.
Marwa gave the directive during his meeting with the agency’s directors and all of its commanding officers at the NDLEA’s headquarters in Abuja.
He praised them for their remarkable accomplishments and charged them to keep pushing forward.
“Where inappropriate actions occur, the management certainly will not overlook them. There will be penalties, just as there are rewards for good conduct, hard work, and results,” Marwa said, adding that “now, the onus is on every commander to ensure the protection of our corporate integrity.”
Marwa pledged to uphold staff welfare through a conducive work environment, allowances, remuneration, and a basic package, urging commanders to replicate this in their commands.
“We have applied meritocracy to the rank and file; it is also fair to apply the same standard to the leadership,” Marwa added.
“Where there is a clear deficit of leadership at zonal, state, or area command, the agency will not hesitate to review and make a change of leadership if necessary.
“This year, we want to raise the bar of our performance, and that calls for having commanders who are up to the task.
“Our jobs are clearly defined; we must clean our streets and communities of illicit substances. Therefore, go and perform, and let’s see greater results in the weeks ahead.”
The NDLEA boss assured the personnel of backups where and when necessary, adding that the agency would also provide officers with necessary reinforcements.
“On this note, I want to implore commanders to let us keep our eyes on the ball. Let’s be prepared to work hard in 2024 and achieve unprecedented goals,” he added.