NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa shares how he dismissed a pilot for drug abuse, highlighting the agency’s zero-tolerance policy on substance misuse in sensitive sectors.
In a frank disclosure, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), recounted his personal experience in tackling drug abuse issues within Albarka Air, an airline he previously managed.
During the third edition of The Conversation Conference in Abuja on World Mental Health Day, Marwa revealed that he had to terminate a pilot’s employment because of drug abuse.
The event, hosted by the Intersect Consortium in collaboration with Action Against Hunger and the International Rescue Committee, concentrated on essential mental health issues.
Marwa shared a story from 21 years ago about an incident where a drug-impaired pilot triggered panic among passengers during a flight to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
Marwa recalled, “I used to manage an airline named Albarka Air. One of our most popular routes was on Fridays, traveling from Lagos to Abuja and then onward to Maiduguri. Our weekend flights were consistently full.”
He explained that the incident took place mid-flight, raising serious concerns about the safety of both passengers and crew. This ultimately compelled him to take action by dismissing the pilot.
The head of the NDLEA recalled that on that specific Friday, he received numerous calls from passengers reporting alarming behavior by the pilot. During a turbulent moment, the pilot is said to have announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, I have bad news for you,” followed by a pause that left passengers in panic. He later clarified they would be diverting the flight to Kano—a delay Marwa considered unacceptable.
Further investigation revealed that the pilot was under the influence of a psychoactive substance. Marwa, known for his strict stance against drug-related offenses, acted quickly. “I looked into it and confirmed what happened,” he explained. “So I terminated his employment immediately and reported him to the NCAA.” Following this incident, Marwa also introduced random drug testing for all pilots and crew members at Albarka Air during that period.
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Marwa highlighted the crucial role of drug testing in workplaces, asserting, “The necessity for workplace drug testing cannot be overstated. It is essential to implement policies that ensure drug integrity at work.”
At the same event, Ayodele Olawande, the Minister of State for Youth Development, emphasized the Ministry’s dedication to tackling substance abuse among Nigerian youth. He pointed out that numerous young individuals face challenges with substance abuse and often receive insufficient support. To address this issue, he announced upcoming plans for a mental health awareness campaign. “I can assure you that within the next week, I will provide more information on this important topic of mental health,” Olawande stated.
Olawande highlighted the significance of mental health within the larger societal framework, suggesting that numerous challenges stem from neglected mental health issues. “Our primary problem arises because we do not attend to our mental well-being; it seems like no one cares for others,” he noted.
Vincent Udenze, the host of The Conversation Conference, raised concerns about mental health issues frequently being misdiagnosed as other conditions like malaria. “People often confuse mental health with ailments such as malaria or mere stress,” he noted. He emphasized the need for employers to actively prioritize their employees’ well-being across all levels within an organization. “Employers should inquire about the welfare of every employee, from top executives to gatekeepers,” he remarked.
The event provided a forum for prominent individuals to discuss the urgent necessity of mental health support and the impact of drug testing policies on workplace safety, highlighting a continued dedication to enhancing Nigerians’ mental well-being.
