Marwa: ‘Where There Are Drugs, There Is Insecurity’
By Matthew Eloyi
The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, has warned that drug abuse is both a symptom and a driver of insecurity in Nigeria.
Marwa made this known in Abuja on Saturday night during the 38th anniversary reunion of the Nigerian Military School (NMS) Class of 1982.
He said drug abuse fuels terrorism, insurgency and violent crimes, while also destroying families, wasting talent and eroding moral values.
“Where there are drugs, there is insecurity. Where there are drugs, there is terrorism. Where there are drugs, there is moral collapse,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA boss revealed that in the last two years, the agency intercepted more than 1.8 billion tramadol tablets, 400 million bottles of codeine syrup and 500,000 Captagon pills concealed in machines bound for insurgents.
He stressed that discipline and character remain the strongest shields against drug abuse, urging families, schools, faith groups, NGOs and the media to work together in combating the menace.
Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to loyalty, service and discipline. Musa, who was represented by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, praised the NMS 82 Alumni Association for sustaining brotherhood over nearly four decades.
He described the set as a beacon of excellence, noting that it produced two serving Service Chiefs among its members.
For his part, Ogalla said nothing gives him greater pride than being a product of NMS, Zaria.
According to him, “NMS is no ordinary school. It took us from different backgrounds and molded us for one common purpose – service to our nation. That is why I say without hesitation that nothing makes me prouder than being an NMS boy.”
Ogalla urged members of the Class of ’82 to remain united and to continue giving back to their alma mater, while serving as role models for younger cadets.
The reunion, which attracted participants from within and outside the country, highlighted the achievements of the set, which counts Ogalla and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, among its members.
