Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, the Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says the Nigerian military was well placed and capable of containing banditry like they already contained insurgency in the North East.
Marwa made this known on Tuesday in Abuja when the National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka paid a courtesy visit to the NDLEA's headquarters.
The NDLEA boss commended the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their professionalism, patriotism, and daily sacrifices.
He also commended their contributions to tackling banditry in the North West and mitigating various security threats in different parts of Nigeria.
He said there is a need to support and encourage the Armed Forces, following a viral video of bandits celebrating the 'capture' of a military-armoured vehicle stuck in a mucky path in Kwashabawa, Zurmi local government area of Zamfara.
Marwa urged Nigerians to stand with the military and other security agencies in the ongoing efforts to end all security challenges facing the country.
"Man for man, officer to officer, soldier to soldier--the Nigerian Armed Forces personnel are an equal or better match to any of their colleagues anywhere in the world.
"This explained their success in peacekeeping operations even before independence, and the reason why they are well sought after by the United Nations and the exploits of our armed forces under ECOMOG are still fresh in memory.
"I recall that during my tenure as Defence Adviser in our Permanent Mission to the UN, Nigerian troops were always sought after for their professionalism and effectiveness," he said.
Marwa harped on the need to appreciate the sacrifices being made by personnel of the armed forces.
"We must always remember that our men and women in uniform left their families and went to the bush these past 15 years.
"They have been fighting an asymmetrical warfare in ill-defined territories and an amorphous enemy that easily mixes with the rural population," he said.
Marwa said, "If the same security forces have been able to contain the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, which was once far worse than the present banditry in the North West.
"They will in a matter of time end the criminal activities of non-state actors in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and other parts of the region," he said.
Marwa said that rather than fall for the propaganda of criminal elements, the Nigerian public should stand up for massive and unequivocal support to the armed forces and other security agencies in diverse ways.
"Our support and goodwill towards our security forces can come in the form of encouraging words, scholarships for their orphaned children, and other empowerment grants to their widows and families.
"All these can be channelled through their service headquarters," Marwa said.
He commended Gen. Laka for the visit while expressing confidence in his ability to succeed on his task at the NCTC.
Speaking earlier, Gen. Laka said he visited to seek collaboration between the NCTC and NDLEA because of the strong nexus between drugs and crimes.
Laka said that with over 50,000 arrests in three years, the activities of NDLEA have disrupted crimes, and struck a significant blow to the criminal organisations as well as activities that thrived on illicit drugs and substances.
He said, "We all know the nexus between drug abuse, crime, and terrorism.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
"We know that drugs fuel various forms of criminality, including terrorism, by providing financial resources and impairing judgment, thus contributing to violent extremism.
"This nexus underscores the importance of a holistic approach to combating these threats.
"We have state-of-the-art laboratories at the centre. We have a toxicology lab, DNA lab, a fingerprint lab, data extraction lab, and so on, and these labs are open to you.
"I will like a situation whereby we can collaborate with the NDLEA to fight threats of terrorism in the country.
"Additionally, there is a need for strategic communication and sensitisation campaigns on the nexus between drugs, and crime.
"So, we would also like to collaborate with the NDLEA to organise sensitisation workshops, seminars, and so on to enlighten the public on the danger of the use of drugs," he said. (NAN)
