NDLEA Rewards Officers For Anti-Drug War On Waterways

…Traffickers Seeking Alternative Routes Turning To Waterways — Marwa

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has promoted eight officers for thwarting an attempt by a criminal gang to smuggle 60 jumbo bags of illicit drugs from a neighbouring country.

The Special Marine Squad had intercepted the boat conveying the consignment along Alfa Beach in the Lekki area of Lagos State on August 23.

Chairman of the Agency, Mohamed Marwa while speaking on the circumstances surrounding the operation revealed that the officers while attempting to intercept the boat, sighted another.

“They however faced some unfavourable encounters in the process of intercepting the second boat, but in the face of violent provocation, our officers did not lose focus, as they went ahead to recover the exhibits.

“They were able to seize 60 bags of Ghanaian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, weighing 2,400 kgs. They successfully arrested a suspect, Hambo Tete, 30, who is Ghanaian and impounded the exhibit boat powered by three outboard engines.

“The action of these officers in the night was significant for two reasons. First, it is an affirmation that we have been successful at making the normal trafficking routes through the airport and land borders impenetrable.

“Hence, traffickers seeking alternative routes are trying to turn to the waterways.

“The second significance is that such traffickers will meet their Waterloo even on the waterways because of the presence of our Marine Command.

“Those who have been following the development in NDLEA are aware that we now have a full-fledged Marine Command with well-trained divers.”

Speaking at a brief ceremony to decorate the eight officers with their new ranks Marwa said the officers had exhibited bravery and an unwavering sense of duty in the face of adversity on the waterways.

The promoted officers include Dick Aaron Dick; Alabi Mayowa; Gabriel Ubokikwan; Aso Daniel John; Abdul Emmanuel Sule; Ngabolo Victor Sonpano; Jonah Emmanuel Sule and Membe Timipa Gabriel.

“Every time we have a breakthrough, it tells the world a story about the new NDLEA we are working hard to build. It also reinforces our conviction as an organisation that we are on the right track. So, an occasion such as this is a source of pride for me,” the Agency said.

He further noted that despite obvious attempts to thwart the interdiction bid, its officers were resilient, prevailing over the situation.

“It is in recognition of their gallantry that they are given special promotion and we are holding this ceremony to decorate them. This is keeping with our culture of rewarding hard work, results and sacrifice,” Marwa added.

He said the reward scheme is also part of the sweeping reforms he instituted in the past three years to motivate officers to raise their performance level. “Under this scheme, we have instituted the bi-annual Command Awards and Commendation as well as special promotion for deserving officers, among other measures.”

Addressing the promoted officers and their colleagues across all commands and formations, Marwa charged them with the need “to sustain the momentum of our trajectory and also protect the integrity of our job. That entails that we should be mindful of our actions and activities in the line of duty or off duty.”

NDLEA Rewards Officers For Anti-Drug War On Waterways is first published on The Whistler Newspaper