The chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, says drug abuse is both a symptom and driver of insecurity in Nigeria.

Mr Marwa stated this in Abuja on Saturday night at the 38th anniversary reunion of the Nigerian Military School (NMS) Class of 1982.

He said drug abuse fuels terrorism, insurgency and violent crimes, while also weakening families, wasting talent and eroding moral values.

“Where there are drugs, there is insecurity. Where there are drugs, there is terrorism. Where there are drugs, there is moral collapse,” Mr Marwa said.

He disclosed that NDLEA had, in two years, intercepted over 1.8 billion tramadol tablets, 400 million bottles of codeine syrup and 500,000 Captagon pills concealed in machines bound for insurgents.

The NDLEA boss stressed that discipline and character remain the strongest shields against drug abuse, and urged collective action by families, schools, faith groups, NGOs and the media.

In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, stressed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would remain committed to upholding the spirit of loyalty, service and discipline.

Mr Musa, represented by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, added that the military remained committed to safeguarding the dignity of the nation at home and abroad.

He congratulated the NMS 82 Alumni Association for sustaining the brotherhood over 38 years, describing the set as a beacon of excellence, having produced two serving Service Chiefs among its members.

On his part, the CNS said that nothing gives him greater pride than being a product of the NMS, Zaria.

Mr Ogalla recalled how the school instilled discipline, resilience, loyalty and healthy competition, saying those values had shaped the destinies of its alumni, both in uniform and in civilian life.

According to him, NMS is no ordinary school. It took us from different backgrounds and molded us for one common purpose – service to our nation.

“That is why I say without hesitation that nothing makes me prouder than being an NMS boy,” he said.

Mr Ogalla urged members of the Class of ’82 to remain united and continue giving back to their alma mater, while serving as role models for younger boys still in the school.

He also reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to upholding the spirit of loyalty, service and discipline instilled in them by NMS.

He added that the military would continue to work for peace, dignity and respect for Nigeria at home and abroad.

The event, which drew participants from across Nigeria and the diaspora, also highlighted the achievements of the set, which produced two serving service chiefs, Mr Ogalla and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar.

(NAN)