Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau state has moved to strengthen collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to curb the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the state.
The governor and the NDLEA boss, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) expressed their preparedness for the renewed partnership in their remarks on Thursday when Governor Mutfwang paid Marwa a courtesy visit at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja.
While applauding the governor for his commitment to ensuring peace, security of lives and property on the Plateau, Marwa noted that a total of 6,975.6 kilograms of illicit drugs such as Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine, Cannabis and Opioids were seized across the state in the last two years, leading to the arrest of 1,720 suspects and conviction of 156 while the trial of others are ongoing.
Marwa urged the governor to support with a standard rehabilitation centre, activate drug control committees at the state, local government and community levels.
He called on the governor to also adopt drug testing policy in schools, homes and communities across the state.
Speaking earlier, Governor Mutfwang commended Marwa’s leadership skills in the turn around and performance of NDLEA since he assumed the chairmanship of the Agency in 2021.
“We’ve followed keenly your performance and we can say that since your coming on board, NDLEA has gone about its functions with more vigour, with more determination.
“And I know that quite a lot of the people who profit from trading illicit drugs have not found it easy since your coming on board,” he said.