The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retired), has said the Nigerian military was well placed and capable of containing banditry like they already contained insurgency in the North-East.
He stated this on Tuesday in Abuja when the national coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Adamu Laka, paid a courtesy visit to the NDLEA’s headquarters.
Marwa commended the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their contributions to tackling banditry in the North-West and mitigating various security threats in different parts of Nigeria.
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“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.
To the NDLEA boss, 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 muddy path in Kwashabawa, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara.
“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, why they are well sought after by the United Nations, and why 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.
He noted that rather than fall for the propaganda of criminal elements, Nigerians should stand up for massive and unequivocal support to the armed forces and other security agencies in diverse ways.
Marwa also commended Laka for the visit while expressing confidence in his ability to succeed at his NCTC task.
