NDLEA TO RECRUIT 2,500 IN 2009

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in a bid to further
intensify the anti-narcotic campaign, will be recruiting 2,500 lower cadre
agents in 2009.

The Honourable Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade, made
this known to newsmen in Abuja yesterday while addressing issues on the
prevention of illicit drug crop cultivation, abuse and trafficking in the
country. The recruitment, he explained, is part of efforts by the Federal
Government towards empowering the youths and addressing the problems of
unemployment in the country.

Giade stated that the exercise is expected to balance up the staff
strength of the Agency which he described as being 'top heavy'. "The
selection process will be widely publicised and candidates will be
shortlisted based on merit. Areas of assessment will include physical
fitness, intellectual and integrity tests because we want the best".

He also stated that the enlightenment workshop embarked upon by the Agency
was designed for the entire North Central region which is the concluding
part of the Agency's anti-drug enlightenment campaign activities for the
year.

Similar workshops with the theme 'Towards A Drug Free Nigeria' had been
organised for the North West , North East, South West, South East and
South South geo-political regions. The Agency, according to him, is also
working on a finger print database to facilitate partnership with the
Immigration Service in the area of passport issuance.

"We are working on our finger print database which will enable the Agency
collaborate effectively with the Nigeria Immigration Service in the area
of passport issuance. This will help prevent drug barons and their cohorts
particularly those ex-convicts whose passports have been seized from
obtaining another document" Giade stated.

The drug trade according to the NDLEA boss, is dynamic in nature and to
remain on top of the situation, it must update its tradecraft and mode of
operation. Giade, therefore, disclosed that priority will be given to both
local and international training and retraining of its personnel in the
coming year.

In addition, there will be an elaborate awareness campaign plan because
the anti-narcotic crusade is a battle that must be fought and won by every
member of the society. The NDLEA boss said that drug barons were agents of
death who always work towards a failed state wherever they are allowed to
operate. He, therefore, urged members of the public not to give drug
barons and their cohorts a place in our society.

In his words, "I am glad that we have the capacity to frustrate and make
life difficult for these enemies of the society as we have always done.
That is the only way we can be relaxed, healthy and happy. My position is
that drug barons will find the Nigerian environment hostile to operate in.
Drug barons that relocated to other countries because of repeated attacks
on their illicit network will not find safety wherever they run to because
they will be arrested and prosecuted".

Presentations made at the workshop covered vital areas such as effects of
drug trafficking and drug abuse, community mobilisation against drugs
among others.