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The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has vowed to ensure punitive measures against any military personnel found culpable of illicit drug abuse and trafficking.<\/p>\n

Musa gave the assurance when he visited the Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), in Abuja.<\/p>\n

The CDS commended the NDLEA for the great turnaround in the war against drug abuse and trafficking, saying this has positively changed the negative perception about Nigeria in the international community.<\/p>\n

He pledged the continued support of the armed forces to NDLEA in its renewed fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn our part, we will not shield anybody found guilty of drugs. We have made a number of arrests in Northeast, our checkpoints and all; we pick them up and prosecute them.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone found guilty of drugs must pay for it. We also try to do rehabilitation, and that is one aspect I will recommend to be taken seriously because some people unknowingly get into drugs because of peer pressure.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrug abuse must be tackled holistically because that is very important, but if we allow it to take over the country, we will all suffer for it.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo convey to our troops that we are together and working as a team, if there are issues especially with the members of the armed forces, please don\u2019t hesitate and let us know.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will take adequate action. We don\u2019t want drugs in our system,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

The CDS said the agency\u2019s efforts have also motivated the military to introduce drug tests as a requirement for training and promotion in the armed forces.<\/p>\n

He said that the nexus between drug abuse and insecurity was real, adding that if the nation were able to curb the scourge of substance abuse, the current security challenges would be drastically reduced.<\/p>\n

Musa promised to consider the suggestion by the NDLEA boss for the military to have its central rehabilitation centre.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrug use has slipped into so many places, and for members of the Armed Forces, we\u2019re not excluded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow we have introduced as part of our recruitment processes and for our people to go for courses, they must take a drug test.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will ensure that personnel of the Armed Forces are doing the right thing and are in the right frame of mind; we\u2019ll continue to do that and continue to intensify our efforts,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

Responding, the NDLEA chairman commended the Nigerian Armed Forces under the leadership of the CDS for their loyalty, sacrifices and hard work towards keeping the country safe.<\/p>\n

Marwa also appreciated the military for supporting the Agency in terms of logistics and training.<\/p>\n

He harped on the significance of the partnership between the military and the NDLEA, saying that substance abuse was at the root of crimes and criminalities in the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe criminal elements rely on drugs to carry out their criminalities, and that is why we have been very ferocious in our offensive action against them to cut access and availability of these illicit drugs,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

CDS warns against drug use among military personnel, vows to punish offenders<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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