The Nigerian government has paid burial entitlements of at least one hundred and eighty eight (188) personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, who died in active service.
Presenting cheques to widows of deceased officers at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, the Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Retd) hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for granting approval and payment of the entitlements which has been pending since 2014.
“We owe a big thank you to President Muhammadu Buhari for his magnanimity in providing us with a special intervention fund to discharge our duty, specifically to officers and men who lost their lives in the line of duty.” He stated.
“This presentation of burial expenses payments to their families and beneficiaries will understandably evoke painful memories and sober reflection for us all. However, the Agency finds a modicum of consolation in its ability to discharge its duty to its employees who paid the supreme price while pursuing the NDLEA mandate. Hence, this occasion is symbolic as an attestation of the resolution of the NDLEA leadership to engender an institution where the welfare of staff commands utmost priority.” Marwa further explained.
While apologising to the widows and families of the deceased officers and men who died in the line of duty for the late payment of the entitlements, Gen. Marwa said the best Nigeria and Nigerians can do to immortalise these late officers and men is for all to stand and join the fight against the twin evils of drug trafficking and drug abuse, the main cause for which these heroes laid down their lives.
Marwa while acknowledging that fighting illicit drug trafficking and abuse is a tough job, not only in Nigeria but also globally, however said that the battle is twice as dangerous due to the obvious reason that the drug abuse prevalence of our country is three times that of the global average.
Speaking on behalf of the other widows, Mrs Khaltume Hassan Amali expressed appreciation to President Buhari for coming to the aid of NDLEA to enable the Agency meet its obligations to the families of its deceased officers.
She commended the President for appointing a seasoned and an excellent administrator as Chief Executive of the Agency. “We shall continue to pray to God to guide and protect you, your officers and men as you strive to move the Agency to greater heights. We are also grateful to you for ensuring that the widows and children of deceased officers do not suffer injustice.” she added.
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