NDLEA full meaning and major functions
Do you know what NDLEA full meaning is? What are its role and main functions? Here is everything about the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Nigeria.
Source: UGC
Drug trafficking is a serious problem in Nigeria. If was from around 1980s that Nigeria became a part of an illegal drug trafficking with the US as a major consumer of hard drugs from the country.
However, in recent years, hard rugs reportedly came to Europe and the Middle East through West Africa. Even though Nigeria is not the only country that became a victim of this illegal business, it’s still, for now, the biggest trafficking hub in the region.
What is NDLEA?
Source: UGC
The government took various steps in the fight with drug barons and trafficking. One of them was to establish the NDLEA – National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. It appeared in 1990 to fight the growing drug smuggling and trafficking.
You can see NDLEA agents in the airports, seaports and at border crossings, where they check if the travelers carry drugs. They make hundreds of arrests of drug dealers or carriers, which are just the surface of the drug trade in the country.
The current NDLEA chairman is Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, who was appointed this position by a Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari in 2016.
What are the functions of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency?
Source: UGC
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The NDLEA agents arrest, investigate and prosecute offenses related to drug trafficking. They also work with international drug units to enforce drug laws. As well, they demolish hard drugs, plants, and substances.
The role of the NDLEA agents is huge, but they often confront corruption, which makes it harder to fight drug problems in Nigeria. There are over 7600 employees in the agency that carry various duties. But the main goal for all of them is to combat drug trafficking day by day.
Moreover, there are some zones on the border in Nigeria that are not well-guarded, which makes it even easier for drug dealers to contraband hard drugs. Moreover, criminals use air cargo services for trafficking as well. The problem is so deep and complex in the country that it might take decades more to take care of it.
Source: UGC
So to sum up, NDLEA in Nigeria does the following:
- Investigate and prosecute criminals.
- Patrol public places, where the drugs might be illegally exported abroad.
- Consolidate with international agencies to fight drug traffickers.
- Demolish narcotic plants, substances, and drugs they find.
- Prevent manufacturing and selling of drugs.
Source: UGC
Here are the main facts to know about NDLEA, which plays a crucial role in Nigeria and fights a hugely important problem. Moreover, due to its service, the general image of Nigeria is getting better in the world as well.
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Source: Legit.ng
