The federal government, on Tuesday, approved $1.442 million for the procurement of arms and ammunition for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, disclosed this to newsmen after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja. He explained that his ministry submitted three memoranda on behalf of the NDLEA.
Fagbemi stated that FEC also approved a total of N1.9 billion for the purchase of 33 CNG-compliant vehicles for the agency’s use. Additionally, the council approved N985 million for the procurement of two full-body scanners for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. These approvals are intended to enhance the NDLEA’s operational efficiency.
“We discussed several items today, including three specific to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, otherwise known as NDLEA. The first approval is for the procurement of 33 Mikano Maxus E60 motor vehicles to boost NDLEA operations, totaling N1.9 billion. You will agree that it is crucial to support the NDLEA’s activities, and thus the council approved the purchase of these CNG-compliant vehicles,” Fagbemi stated.
“The second approval pertains to the procurement of arms, ammunition, and anti-riot equipment for counter-narcotics operations for the NDLEA, amounting to $1.442 million. The third approval is for the procurement of two full-body scanners to be installed at the Abuja and Lagos international airports, aimed at enhancing NDLEA operations, costing N985 million.”
These measures underscore the federal government’s commitment to bolstering the NDLEA’s capacity to combat drug trafficking and related crimes effectively.