President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for busting a Nigerian-Mexican drug syndicate and dismantling what he described as a sophisticated multi-million-dollar illegal drug production network operating in the country.
The President’s commendation was conveyed in a State House press statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The operation, announced on Wednesday by the Chairman of the NDLEA, Mohammed Buba Marwa, reportedly followed weeks of intelligence gathering and coordinated operations carried out in collaboration with international partners.
According to the statement, the operation led to the arrest of foreign nationals, local drug kingpins and other collaborators, as well as the seizure of chemicals and illicit drugs valued at over $360 million.
“This successful operation, which led to the arrest of foreign nationals, local kingpins and other collaborators, as well as the seizure of chemicals and illicit drugs valued at over $360 million, demonstrates exceptional professionalism, courage, and unwavering commitment to safeguarding society from the devastating effects of narcotics,” President Tinubu said.
The President praised the agency’s operatives for their dedication and urged them to sustain the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime.
“I commend the bravery, resilience, and dedication displayed by operatives of the NDLEA throughout this mission. I urge them not to be complacent in confronting the menace of drug trafficking,” he said.
Tinubu warned that West Africa had become a major transit region in the global narcotics trade, noting that drug cartels were increasingly using the region to move cocaine, synthetic drugs and unregulated pharmaceuticals to Europe and North America.
“West Africa has become a great concern in the global war against narcotics as drug barons turn our region into a transit hub for moving cocaine, synthetic drugs and unregulated pharmaceuticals to Europe and North America,” the President stated.
He added, “Drugs not only pose a critical security threat for our region, but they also pose a grave danger to the future of our youth, some of whom have become victims of the trade.”
Tinubu also called on Nigerians to support security agencies by remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious activities in their communities.
“I call on all Nigerians to see the fight against illicit drugs not as NDLEA’s alone. Everyone has a role to play,” he said.
“We must remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities within our communities to assist security agencies in combating criminal networks,” the President added.
Describing the operation as a strong signal against organised crime, Tinubu said criminals threatening public safety and national security would face the full weight of the law.
“This landmark success is 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 and national security will face the wrath of the law,” he said.