By Gabriel Ameh
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has called on the global community to unite in the fight against transnational drug cartels that threaten international peace, stability, and development.
This was contained in a statement issued by Femi Babafemi Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday, 14th October 2025
Speaking at the 80th United Nations General Assembly Plenary Session of the Third Committee held in New York on Monday, October 13, 2025, Marwa said the world must not allow criminal drug networks to hold nations hostage.
According to him, “Given the transnational nature of the drug problem, Nigeria prioritizes international cooperation and intelligence sharing. We have signed memoranda of understanding with several countries and maintain strong partnerships with the UNODC, EU, DEA, INL, NCA, BKA, and others. These collaborations have led to major seizures, arrests of high-profile traffickers, and successful prosecutions all in full respect of human rights.”
He emphasized that the global drug problem is a multidimensional challenge that demands coordinated and collective action, adding that Nigeria has taken strategic, evidence-based measures to curb the menace.
Marwa listed Nigeria’s major interventions, including the strengthening of anti–money laundering frameworks linked to drug proceeds and expanding access to care for drug users through rehabilitation centers, opioid substitution therapy, and safer needle exchange programs.
He noted that cannabis remains the most abused drug in Nigeria, and to address this, the NDLEA is implementing an Alternative Development Programme that engages local communities to replace illicit cannabis cultivation with legitimate means of livelihood — promoting both food security and environmental sustainability.
The NDLEA boss also highlighted the successes of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, which mobilizes every sector of society to protect families and communities through mass sensitization campaigns.
On emerging threats, Marwa disclosed that Nigeria is combating the rise of new psychoactive substances and the use of the Dark Web for drug trafficking. “We are taking decisive action against the illicit production and trafficking of methamphetamine by preventing the diversion of precursor chemicals and dismantling clandestine laboratories,” he said.
He further explained that the implementation of Nigeria’s National Drug Control Master Plan has deepened collaboration among stakeholders and produced measurable progress. In promoting social justice, Nigeria now operates a 24/7 toll-free drug call center manned by professionals who offer counselling services in major Nigerian languages, helping to bridge treatment gaps and reduce the stigma of drug use.
Marwa’s address reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s anti-drug campaign and underscored the country’s commitment to international cooperation in securing a drug-free world.
