Why we gave NDLEA two patrol boats, others – Navy
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, has given reasons why the Navy gave two fast attack gun boats to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The CNS noted that the consumption of illicit drugs is fueling the war in the Northeast and other violent crime across the nation.
Gambo further stated that the rate of drug trafficking by waterways by criminal gangs was also becoming alarming.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, who handed over the two Epenal boats to the Chairman of NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd) in Lagos, noted that Nigeria’s Maritime space has its share of illegal activities which include; Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported Fishing (IUUF), illegal bunkering and trafficking of persons and contrabands notably narcotics and other psychotropic substances.
Vice Admiral Gambo who was represented by the Chief Staff Officer, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Hamza Kaoje, explained that access to international waters as a common resource has made maritime transshipment of persons and goods very appealing for both legal and illegal activities.
“Therefore, the NDLEA needs to get adequate platforms to curb illicit drug peddlers in the maritime space. The Agency reached out for the NN for support in its current expansion and strengthening efforts to fight the existing menace of drug abuse.
“It is on this note that the Nigerian Navy deemed it necessary to make this donation to enhance the Agency Marine Unit’s capacity to check illicit drug activities in the waterways,” he said.
Recall that in October 2021, a shipment of 32.9kg of cocaine on board MV CHAYANEE NAREE was intercepted by the Nigerian Navy with the collaborative efforts of the Interpol and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. Also, Nigerian Navy Ship ABA intercepted a large wooden boat containing marijuana which was transiting the Nigeria-Benin border. Additionally, on April 19, Forward Operating Base BADAGRY patrol boat intercepted and seized 40 bags of cannabis at Ajulo waterside which were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for destruction.
He said that these were just some instances amongst several others where the Nigerian Navy had collaborated with the NDLEA in ensuring that “our waters including the hinterland is free of illegal substances and illegal maritime activities that impinge on the security and well-being of our nation and citizens. It is therefore evident that the Agency will find the Navy’s donation germane in its maritime operations to curb drug trafficking in the waterways”
In his remark, the Chairman of NDLEA who was represented by Omolade Fagboyede, Director Seaport Operations, said the synergy between the Navy and NDLEA, as witnessed, is a testament that the nation is winning the war against illicit drugs within the broad goal of preventing drug cartels from entering into Nigeria either through airports, land borders, or sea.