At NDLEA Headquarters, Alaafin Promises Total Support for Marwa’s Drug-War Efforts

In order to combat substance misuse in the nation, Oba Abimbola Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo, has pledged to assist and work with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

During a courtesy visit to Marwa at the Agency’s national headquarters in Abuja on Friday, the esteemed traditional ruler brought two other royal fathers, Oloro of Oro, Oba Joel Olaniyan Olatoye, and Olusin of Ijara Isin, Oba Ademola Julius Ajibola.

Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), the Chairman of the NDLEA, was given a renewed mission to combat substance misuse and illicit drug trafficking, and the monarch promised him assistance and cooperation.

“To be kind to you, we are proud of you,” he said. It is not by accident that you are in this position right now; rather, it is the result of your dedication and commitment. You are such a friendly person. You have always been a performer, which is why you are able to rule Borno and Lagos State. The legacy of Keke Marwa that you introduced to Nigeria is another aspect of you that I will never forget.

In direct response to the NDLEA boss’s request that traditional leaders back the nation’s continued efforts to combat drug usage, Alaafin pledged to mobilize his compatriots to collaborate with the agency.

“Some of my coworkers here and some of my fellow traditional rulers have heard your message, and we are prepared to work with you. I must admit that we are close to the locals and operate at the grassroots level. We are well-informed about the situation. I’m taking this chance to inform you that we are prepared. We are more than prepared to collaborate with you and provide you with all the assistance you need to succeed in this position. Oba Owoade said, “We can assure you that we would always be there for you whenever you need us.

Marwa congratulated the Alaafin on taking over his ancestors’ throne in his welcome speech. He accused him and other traditional leaders nationwide of using their local clout to cooperate with NDLEA in the fight against drug usage in communities.

According to him, “Nearly 15 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 use drugs, according to the 2018 drug use survey report. The drug scourge in Nigeria is at an unacceptable limit.” It’s a serious issue, and President Tinubu has ordered us to take action, combat the drug problem, apprehend the traffickers, punish them, and confiscate their assets. Additionally, because conventional institutions are so crucial to our responsibility, we would like to rely upon them.

Traditional institutions are respected by Nigerians. You come from somewhere, no matter who you are in Nigeria. Additionally, you honor the community leader when you return to that location. Consequently, the traditional leader’s words are taken seriously. We also urge traditional authorities to take a firm stance against drug usage by engaging the religious leaders in charge of the churches and mosques within their respective domains. The NDLEA is always ready to collaborate with conventional institutions.

Because drug dealers put many young people and their families at risk, he said, the Agency will also value information from traditional leaders on drug dealers in local areas.

“We truly value this partnership, and I can assure you that if we are able to reduce drug use, even criminal activity will decrease because all kidnappers, insurgents, terrorists, and bandits use drugs to get high and charge themselves up,” he continued.

He thanked Alaafin for the visit and wished him a long and prosperous reign filled with health, peace, growth, and prosperity throughout the entire Oyo Kingdom.