Defence Chief Speaks On Shielding Military Personnel Involved In Drug Trafficking

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has said the Nigeria Armed Forces will not protect any military personnel found guilty of illicit drug abuse and trafficking.

Musa gave the assurance when he visited the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, in his office in Abuja on Monday.

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 of Nigeria in the international community.

Musa pledged the continued support of the armed forces to NDLEA in its renewed fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

The defence chief said the visit was to thank the agency for a job well done and pledge his total support.

He said: “On our part, we will not shield anybody found guilty of drugs. We have made several arrests in the Northeast, our checkpoints and all; we pick them up and prosecute them.

“Anyone 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.

“Drug 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.

“To 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’t hesitate to let us know.

“We will take adequate action. We don’t want drugs in our system.”