The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency General Buba Marwa (retd.), has restated the commitment of the agency to rid Nigeria of illicit drugs.

Marwa stated this when he received the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, in his office in Abuja, and signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Government to strengthen Nigeria’s war against illicit drugs.

The NDLEA chairman said the agency would also be hard against drug traffickers, exporters and importers operating in the country.

 “We will be hard against drug criminals. We will be serious. We are going to rid this country of illicit drugs trade, trafficking and consumption. But in carrying out this onerous task, I will take this opportunity to seek for more of your support for the agency to enable us to move faster,” Marwa said.

The former military administrator said the NDLEA and relevant US agencies were working together to fight the menace, in a statement on Friday titled, ‘NDLEA: Marwa signs new pact with US to strengthen Nigeria’s drug war’.

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He said, “The US has assisted us in the area of training, operational equipment, logistics. But we still need more of this assistance to ensure we go after the criminals and in a hard way. I must thank the US government for all the support the NDLEA has received through the years.

“Indeed, this week, I distributed 12 vehicles which I got wind of during my time in the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drugs Abuse. I also got wind of delayed MOU between the agency and the United States. I am happy to say I have signed the MOU.”

While congratulating Marwa on his recent appointment, the ambassador said the US would strengthen its relationship in the agency.

“We also like to know your priority, present and future directions of the agency under your leadership. We have a long history of relationship. It was great to come see him (Marwa) to get his assessment of the situation on the ground and know how to move the relationship forward,” Leonard added.