Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has awarded special promotions to eight officers from the Marine Command for their courageous and professional conduct during a recent operation.
The officers were involved in a successful operation on August 23, 2024, where they intercepted boats transporting illicit drugs from Ghana to Nigeria via the Lagos waterways, acting on actionable intelligence received around 3 am. The officers apprehended a drug trafficker and prevented the smuggling of 60 jumbo bags of illicit drugs.
The promoted officers are Dick Aaron Dick, Alabi Mayowa, Gabriel Ubokikwan, Aso John, Abdul Sule, Victor Sonpano Ngabolo, Jonah Sule, and Membe Gabriel. They were decorated with their new ranks and received commendation letters in a ceremony held in Abuja on Thursday.
Marwa praised the officers for their bravery and dedication, stating, “Every time we have a breakthrough, it tells the world a story about the new NDLEA we are working hard to build. It also reinforces our conviction as an organization that we are on the right track. This occasion is a source of pride for me.”
He continued, “These officers exhibited courage and an unwavering sense of duty on the waterways to thwart an attempt by a criminal gang to smuggle 60 jumbo bags of illicit drugs from a neighboring country. Despite clear efforts to disrupt our operation, our officers remained resilient and succeeded. This special promotion is in recognition of their gallantry and is part of our culture of rewarding hard work, results, and sacrifice.”
Marwa highlighted that this reward scheme is part of broader reforms implemented over the past three years to motivate officers and improve performance. “We have introduced the bi-annual Command Awards and Commendation as well as special promotions for deserving officers. The eight officers being decorated today have shown exceptional bravery and commitment to duty,” he added.
Detailing the operation, Marwa noted that two boats were intercepted, with the officers facing significant challenges while stopping the second vessel. “Despite facing violent provocation, our officers maintained focus and were able to recover the drugs,” Marwa explained. “They seized 60 bags of Ghanaian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 2,400 kilograms, and arrested a suspect, Hambo Tete, a 30-year-old Ghanaian. The exhibit boat, powered by three outboard engines, was also impounded.”
Marwa emphasized that the success of this nighttime operation demonstrates the NDLEA’s active presence on the waterways. “This operation shows that we have made traditional trafficking routes through airports and land borders impenetrable, and that traffickers turning to the waterways will also be met with resistance from our Marine Command.”
Speaking on behalf of the promoted officers, team leader Aaron Dick expressed gratitude to Marwa for transforming the NDLEA into an efficient and results-driven organization. He noted that the special promotion and commendation would not only motivate his team but also inspire other personnel within the agency to excel in their duties.
