President Commends NDLEA Over Landmark Anti-Drug Operation

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for dismantling a Nigerian-Mexican drug cartel and uncovering a multi-million-dollar illicit drug production network in the country.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, the President described the operation as a landmark success in the fight against transborder drug trafficking and organised crime.

Tinubu praised the NDLEA operatives for their professionalism, courage and dedication, following the arrest of foreign nationals, local drug kingpins and other collaborators, as well as the seizure of illicit drugs and chemicals valued at over $360 million.

The President warned that West Africa has become a major transit hub for cocaine, syntheticdrugs and unregulated pharmaceuticals destined for Europe and North America.

He noted that illicit drugs pose serious security and public health threats, especially to young people, and urged Nigerians to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities within their communities.

Tinubu also stressed that the successful operation sends a strong message that organised crime and criminality would not be tolerated anywhere in the country.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), had on Wednesday announced the bust following weeks of intelligence gathering and coordinated operations carried out with international partners.