Abuja: The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has praised the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for their significant efforts in tackling illegal drugs. This commendation follows the successful seizure and destruction of 207 containers of illegal and unregistered drugs, a significant step towards ensuring public health and safety.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ribadu expressed his appreciation during the closing session of the Committee for the Destruction of Illegally Imported Pharmaceuticals in Abuja. He conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s gratitude for the effective collaboration among the three agencies, recognizing their crucial role in preventing harmful drugs from reaching the public, especially the youth and vulnerable groups. Ribadu emphasized the importance of this fight, stating, “These criminals don’t care about the damage they cause, but you have chosen to stand and fight for the country. We will not relent.” He further noted that Nigeria was undergoing a transformation and would no longer tolerate such threats.
Ribadu also mentioned his office’s collaboration with the Customs in addressing the proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition, which he linked to increasing insecurity, including issues like banditry and terrorism. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, highlighted the scale of the seizure, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency. He stressed the necessity of inter-agency cooperation for joint examination, investigation, and prosecution, adding that more containers were discovered with guidance from ONSA. Adeniyi assured that the agency would remain vigilant to prevent controlled substances from falling into the wrong hands.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, expressed gratitude to the NSA for supporting enforcement actions, including a major raid in February involving 1,350 security personnel. She revealed that 137 truckloads of banned products were destroyed following raids in Idumota, Aba, and Onitsha. NDLEA Secretary, Mr. Shadrach Haruna, echoed the appreciation for the NSA’s coordination, noting that the joint operation reduced the agency’s burden and supported the legal destruction of the seized drugs. He added that removing such illicit products had improved the ease of doing business.