To bolster the fight against drug trafficking and abuse, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved $1.442 million and over N2 billion to procure vehicles, equipment, and technology for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
This decision was announced by Lateef Fagbemi, the attorney-general of the federation and minister for justice, following a council meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The approved expenditures include N1.9 billion for the purchase of 33 Mikano Maxus E60 motor vehicles, which are CNG compliant, to enhance the agency’s operational capacity and $1.442 million for the procurement of arms, ammunition, and anti-riot equipment for counter-narcotics operations.
It also approved N985 million for the acquisition of two full-body scanners to be installed at the international airports in Abuja and Lagos.
Fagbemi emphasised the importance of supporting the NDLEA’s activities.
He said, “We discussed some other items, three items in respect of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, otherwise known as NDLEA. The first one is the procurement of 33 Mikano Maxus E60 motor vehicles, to boost the operation of the NDLEA at N1.9 billion.
“You will agree with me that it is important that we give support to the activities of NDLEA so the Council considered this and gave approval for the purchase of 33 Mikano vehicles and they are all CNG compliant.
“The second one is, again, purchase for the NDLEA. This time, it is for the procurement of arms, ammunition and antiriot equipment for counter-narcotics operations for the NDLEA. This is for the sum of $1.442 million.
“The third in the series is the procurement of two units of full body scanners at Abuja and Lagos international airports to boost the operation of the NDLEA. This is at a cost of N985 million,” he said.