President Bola Tinubu has hailed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over the burst of a Nigerian-Mexican drug syndicate and dismantling of a multi-million-dollar drug network.
NPO Reported that the NDLEA had on Wednesday destroyed the Nigerian-Mexican meth cartel, arresting drug baron, three Mexicans and six others.
The agency, in collaboration with international security partners, recovered N480 billion worth of meth from their massive clandestine lab in Ogun forest.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the operation as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s campaign against organised crime, narcotics trafficking, and transborder criminal networks threatening national and regional security.
The president said the successful operation demonstrated exceptional professionalism, courage, and unwavering commitment.
“I commend the bravery, resilience, and dedication displayed by operatives of the NDLEA throughout this mission.
” I urge them not to be complacent in confronting the menace of drug trafficking,” the president said.
Tinubu warned that West Africa had increasingly become a major transit corridor for cocaine, synthetic narcotics, and unregulated pharmaceutical products destined for Europe and North America.
“West Africa has become a great concern in the global war against narcotics as drug barons turn our region into a transit hub for moving cocaine, synthetic drugs and unregulated pharmaceuticals,” he said.
The president noted that beyond the security implications, illicit drugs also poses grave dangers to young people across the region, many of whom had become victims of addiction and criminal exploitation.
“Drugs not only pose a critical security threat for our region, but they also pose a grave danger to the future of our youth, some of whom have become victims of the trade,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to support security agencies by remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious activities capable of exposing criminal operations and illegal trafficking networks within communities nationwide.
“I call on all Nigerians to see the fight against illicit drugs not as NDLEA’s alone.
” Everyone has a role to play. We must remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities,” he said.
Tinubu stressed that the successful operation had sent a strong signal that Nigeria’s security agencies remained committed to confronting organised crime and enforcing the law without compromise.
“This landmark success is a strong message that our security agencies will not tolerate organised crime and criminality anywhere in the country, and that those who threaten public safety will face the law,” Tinubu said.