The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), has authorized the promotion of 5,042 officers.
This promotion includes two senior officers being elevated to Deputy Commander General of Narcotics, 22 to Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, and 66 to Commander of Narcotics.
In a statement by the Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Wednesday in Abuja, it was noted that the promotion follows a series of examinations and interviews for qualified candidates.
This is part of an ongoing effort to improve human resource management, particularly focusing on staff motivation and welfare, to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in achieving organizational goals.
During an event to decorate some of the newly promoted officers and to reward 15 commands and 70 personnel for their outstanding performances in the first half of 2024, Marwa emphasized the importance of timely promotions.
“I am pleased to say that we continue to wax stronger on this journey we embarked on three and a half years ago when we decided to turn around the fortunes of this agency, by improving our performance as a precursor to reversing the perilous drug use situation in our dear country, Nigeria,” he stated.
Reflecting on the achievements, Marwa remarked, “On this occasion of the 8th edition of the commands’ awards and commendations ceremony, we have every reason to be thankful because our performance continuously justifies our conviction in Offensive Action, WADA, and other reforms that we undertook. For our modest efforts, we have received plaudits at home and abroad. What that means is that we have to do more. The reward for work well done is more work, and in our case, we cannot rest on our oars until all the objectives of our mandate are fully achieved. May I remind us that the bottom line is a drug-free Nigeria.”
Marwa also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve the working conditions for NDLEA personnel.
“On our part as management, we are trying to keep the motivation going, by ensuring that we provide everything necessary to make this work safe, secure, and conducive for everyone working in this Agency. Our new barracks in Adamawa, Abuja, and Lagos are almost complete and will be commissioned soon. The recent promotion of 5,053 officers speaks volumes about our dedication to prompt and timely promotion of officers. It is symbolic of our effort to break the jinx of stagnation, which was once an albatross for our personnel,” he said.
To further boost operational efficiency, Marwa announced the creation of five strategic commands in Lagos, FCT, MMIA, Apapa, and Tincan. He also mentioned the deployment of body cameras for officers on strategic operations to ensure their safety and the integrity of these operations.
Addressing the officers, Marwa urged them to maintain high standards of conduct, noting, “Let me also seize this occasion to pass some messages to the NDLEA personnel. We have come a long way. In three and a half years, we have taken down as many as 50 identifiable drug cartels, some of them important spokes in the wheel of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine distribution in the country and the global trafficking network. We have seized a huge quantity of illicit drugs and we have convicted record numbers of drug offenders.”
Marwa emphasized the importance of integrity and dedication, saying, “We have achieved many milestones without soiling our integrity and I expect us to continue on that course. Our core values of integrity, hard work, and transparency, among others, must be respected at all times. We need to continue to justify the trust reposed in us by society, and our government, as well as our international partners and governments supporting us across the globe. We have raised the standard and it must not be lowered at any cost or by any means.”
He warned against misconduct, stating, “That is to say, we will not take kindly to any news of infractions, indiscipline or corruption from the field or any command. The least we demand of any officer of this proud agency is to be upright and committed to our goals, while management continues to work on our welfare. The strides of the past three years have put behind us the tribulations of the previous 30 years. We owe the agency allegiance to maintain its integrity. We owe the public a duty to not betray the trust reposed in us. We owe our government, and our partners and stakeholders supporting us a duty to get the job done.”
The NDLEA boss concluded by urging continued commitment and dedication from all NDLEA personnel, “Therefore, we must not fail in giving the required sacrifice, patriotism, commitment, honesty, hard work, and all the virtues that go along with this important job and service to the nation and mankind. You have my assurances and those of the management of NDLEA that we shall not relent in the pursuit to create the best paradigm of work, welfare and reward for you.”
Following the ceremony, Marwa held a closed-door meeting with all commanders and directors to outline the tasks ahead for implementation in their respective areas of responsibility.
