NDLEA unveils first Barracks after 35 years in Yola

Eric Patrick 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has unveiled its first barracks on Tuesday in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State on Tuesday.

This comes 35 years after the NDLEA was established by a military junta led by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

This was contained in statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy

NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, and shared on its Facebook page on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the unveiling of the new barrack will provide office and residential accommodation for officers, men and women of the anti-narcotics agency, urging them to dedicate themselves to their duties.

Speaking at the commissioning in Yola, Adamawa state, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, said the facility, includes modern administrative offices, detention facilities, secure storage.

He further stated that, it is not just a physical structure but a critical investment in human capital and a testament to President Bola Tinubu administrations resolve to create an environment where NDLEA officers and their families can live.

Fagbemi, urged officers to view the investment in their welfare as a call to higher responsibility.

According to him, the role of NDLEA in our society cannot be overstated.

"The fight against drug abuse is a fight for our nations future. It is a battle to protect our youth from the devastating effects of substance abuse and to rid our communities of the violence and destruction that often accompany the illegal drug trade.

"This barracks, therefore, is more than a place of residence; it is a fortress of resilience and a beacon of hope for our nations future," he said.

The statement read, “I would like to re-assure of my continued commitment to supporting the work that you do. This is based on my personal conviction of the intersection between justice and law enforcement.

"This facility is a critical component of the rule of lawensuring that those who are tasked with upholding our laws are protected, empowered, and equipped to carry out their duties.

"It reinforces the principle that justice begins with those who enforce it, and it is our collective responsibility to provide them with necessary resources to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

“I urge the officers who will call this facility home to remain steadfast in their service to their motherland. The nation looks to you, not only as enforcers of the law, but as protectors of our shared hope for a safer, healthier society.

"This investment in your welfare is a call to higher responsibility, one that requires unwavering dedication and resolute commitment. This day should serve as more than the commissioning of a physical structure.

"It should be a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to building a society where every citizen can thrive-free from the perils of drug abuse and the destruction it brings.

"Together through concerted effort and unwavering determination, we will secure the promise of a better and brighter Nigeria for all."