The Federal Authorities has permitted the allocation of $1.442 million for the procurement of arms and ammunition for the Nationwide Drug Legislation Enforcement Company (NDLEA)’s counter-narcotics operations.
This approval was introduced on Tuesday following the Federal Government Council (FEC) assembly presided over by President Bola Tinubu on the State Home, Abuja.
Legal professional-Normal of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, briefed newsmen on the approvals, noting that his ministry had submitted three memoranda on behalf of the NDLEA.
These memoranda additionally included the approval of N1.9 billion for the acquisition of 33 CNG-compliant automobiles and N985 million for the procurement of two full-body scanners for the Murtala Muhammed Worldwide Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe Worldwide Airport in Abuja.
The NDLEA fund
Fagbemi emphasised the significance of supporting the NDLEA’s operations, stating, “The primary one is the procurement of 33 Mikano Maxus E60 motor automobiles, to spice up the operation of the NDLEA at N1.9 billion.”
“You’ll agree with me that it is vital that we give assist to the actions of NDLEA, so the Council thought-about this and gave approval for the acquisition of 33 Mikano automobiles and they’re all CNG compliant.”
He mentioned the approval of the $1.442 million for arms and ammunition is a step in enhancing the NDLEA’s capability to fight drug trafficking and associated crimes successfully.
“The second is, once more, buy for the NDLEA this time is for the procurement of arms, ammunition and anti-riot tools for counter-narcotics operations for the NDLEA. That is for the sum of $1.442 million.”
Moreover, the FEC’s resolution to speculate N985 million in full-body scanners on the nation’s two busiest airports highlights the federal government’s dedication to enhancing safety measures and curbing drug smuggling by way of worldwide gateways.
“The third within the collection is the procurement of two items of full physique scanners at each Abuja and Lagos worldwide airports to spice up the operation of the NDLEA. That is at a value of N985 million,” the minister mentioned.
What you need to know
The NDLEA was established by Decree Quantity 48 of 1989 (now Act of Parliament) in the course of the army administration of Normal Ibrahim Babangida.
- The company’s major mandate is to fight drug trafficking and abuse inside Nigeria.
- It has carried out quite a few high-profile raids, seized substantial portions of unlawful substances, and arrested suspects within the narcotics commerce.
- The NDLEA’s efforts have been crucial in disrupting the operations of drug syndicates and lowering the provision of illicit medicine inside Nigeria.