Marwa Warns N’Assembly Members against Legalising Cannabis

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (rtd), yesterday, warned National Assembly members against any move to legalise use of cannabis in the country.

He said any federal lawmaker that supported any legislation to legalise the use of cannabis should not contemplate returning to his constituency but stay put in Abuja.

The NDLEA boss who also revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the construction of residential barracks for the agency’s operatives in all the 36 states of the federation while campaign against drug abuse was being taken to schools as kids now begin to use drugs from primary schools.

The former military Administrator of Borno and Lagos states, who made this known to journalists after a close-door meeting with President Buhari at the State House, Abuja, also said he received threats on a daily basis since assuming office in January.

Commenting on calls in some quarters for legalisation of cannabis, he declared “we can never support legalisation and I don’t see how the National Assembly would pass the bill because I know 90 per cent or more of the Honourable and Distinguished members of the National Assembly know the implications of this legislation and they dare not go back to their constituencies if anyone signs legalisation because we’re seeing the implication on the ground.”

According to him, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared that cannabis affects the brain, alters brain function, destabilises, affects behaviour.

He said: “Cannabis also affects body organs, and at some point, it can lead to death. So while we appreciate those who want to legalise it for financial gains, we have to be careful to reconcile it with life. So it’s money versus life. And up to this point, science has not developed up to the point where it can remove the THC in cannabis to zero.

“Therefore, Cannabis is harmful to our health, is a danger to society. We must never allow its legalisation. What’s more, Nigeria has 10.6 million cannabis users, which is the highest in the world. Isn’t it sad? We should be the highest in science, technology, mathematics, physics, and stuff that were looked at as highest, that is something we need.

“The youths, the families are being destroyed because of cannabis and drugs. It wouldn’t be legalised by the grace of God.”

On what the agency was doing differently that led to the increased arrest of drug traffickers, Marwa attributed the arrests to the professionalism of NDLEA personnel and the partnership the agency entered with international organisations.

His words: “We work with Britain, Americans, Germans, French, Saudis. We have partners, we all work together because the drug use phenomenon is global. And unless you have this type of cooperation, it won’t work. So it is the professionalism and at the bottom of it all, the encouragement from the President himself, who through his political will, has granted all this great opportunity to serve Nigeria.”

Asked if it is possible to achieve a drug-free Nigeria, he said, “Anything is possible, but it takes a lot of work to achieve it. Probably, what would be a better way to put it could be to say, an acceptable minimum level, because you have to remember, drugs, in its widest sense includes alcohol.

“Studies have shown that more accidents and deaths on the road are created from the use of alcohol, more globally, not only in Nigeria.”

On the purpose of his visit to the State House, Marwa said, “Basically, I am in the Villa to see the Commander-in-Chief and to appreciate his support and political will for the work in drug abuse Nigeria, and as well to bring him up to date on activities since the launching of the war against drug abuse in June by Mr. President.

“As far as activities in the drug supply reduction sphere are concerned. We have seized drugs worth billions of Naira over 100 billion. Those cash has been sent to the CBN and the actual drug themselves we have sought for forfeiture from the courts for destruction.

“We have jailed 1,630 since January. These criminals, shameless criminals, and murderers who traffic drugs. We have counseled and rehabilitated over 4,000 within our NDLEA facilities.

“The issues of the war against drug abuse cascade down to communities. So I briefed the President on the advocacy work that we’re doing across the country structures, state level, local government, communities, the role of traditional institutions and NGOs, media, what families are expected to do, the school system.

“The federal Ministry of Education is already working on curricula, because now kids start taking drugs from primary school, we need to get to the root of it. These are some of the areas that we have touched with the president, clearly a substantial part of which I may not disclose.

“Finally, and very importantly, I raised the issue of barracks. The NDLEA has been in existence for 32 years. All other agencies, armed forces, police, customs, immigration, road safety all have estates, and barracks, except the NDLEA, we still don’t have barracks.

“And now, considering the hazardous nature of the work that we do, the danger in it, we arrest and jail the criminals and then live among them. When you send operatives, to go into the forest, to go after the criminals, they will be encouraged if they knew that their own families are secure in a barracks somewhere.

“So clearly, we got a positive response on that, we’re very grateful for it and we look forward to the execution as soon as it is practicable. The economy, I’m sure.”

He further said, “Second is the issue of recruitment. Considering the size and responsibilities before us, we need to expand. This matter was discussed with the Commander-in-Chief.

“And we also again received a listening ear, we are very grateful. The last message here to Nigerians is to say no to drugs, if you have not started taking drugs, don’t, if you have started to stop it, if you’re addicted, seek treatment, there’s no shame or stigma, go and get treated.

“If you have malaria, you go to the hospital, if you have diabetes, you are not ashamed. So drug addiction is a disease like the others, I urge those who are addicted to go for treatment, thank you very much.”

Asked where the barracks will be sited, he said: “We have as you know, personnel in 36 states of the federation and FCT, therefore, we expect barracks in all the locations that as we as having to travel the country, the budgetary provisions is something that I will not comment on at this point.”

Asked what the response of the President was, Marwa said, “Well, the President told us well done. And that well done, does not go to Gen. Marwa, but the NDLEA officers and men. And if there’s a secret behind it, we thank the Almighty God for his successes recorded so far, and also to the gallant and professional officers, and men of the NDLEA who have remained upstanding.”

The NDLEA boss also revealed he had received threats since assuming duties earlier this year,

saying “it’s almost a daily occurrence because my phone number is open.

“Equally, messages come through family, through colleagues, and sometimes people at random who we don’t know but live in the territory. That said, we also take precautions.”