Securing Nigeria From Illicit Drugs a Shared Responsibility, Says Marwa …Assures NDLEA Will Build on Past Successes as Rafsanjani, Gen. Olukolade, Others Applaud Agency’s Efforts
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has reaffirmed that safeguarding Nigeria from the scourge of substance abuse, illicit drug trafficking, and other social vices must be treated as a collective responsibility among all stakeholders.
Marwa made the declaration on Wednesday, 19th November 2025, while delivering the keynote address at the 7th Security and Emergency Management Awards and Conference (SAEMA 2025) held at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja. He assured that under his second tenure, the Agency will consolidate on the achievements of the past five years through intensified interdictions, and strengthened treatment, rehabilitation and prevention programmes.
According to him, “The task before us—securing our nation—is a shared responsibility. The awards presented today are a reminder that all security agencies, emergency responders, and civil society partners are working towards the same goal: a safe, stable, and prosperous Nigeria.”
Marwa reiterated NDLEA’s commitment to a balanced strategy that tackles drug problems from both the supply and demand ends. He highlighted the importance of partnership across sectors, commending IMPR and its partners for choosing “Drug Control and National Security: Innovations for a Safer Tomorrow” as the theme for SAEMA 2025.
He explained that NDLEA’s supply reduction efforts focus on cutting off the pipelines of illicit drugs through intelligence-driven operations, strategic interdictions, and cooperation with international partners. These efforts, he said, continue to yield significant results.
“In the first 10 months of this year alone, the Agency has recorded over 16,304 arrests and secured about 3,000 convictions, with hundreds of cases still in court. We have seized 4.5 million kilograms of illicit substances and destroyed 612.2864 hectares of cannabis farms,” he stated.
Marwa added that while interdictions remain essential, enforcement alone cannot solve Nigeria’s drug challenge. He emphasized the need for robust demand reduction strategies anchored on awareness campaigns, counselling, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
He highlighted the impact of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), a nationwide advocacy initiative that has taken NDLEA officers to schools, markets, worship centres, communities and traditional institutions. “In 2025 alone, we conducted over 3,765 WADA activities. Our officers across the 36 state commands, 14 zonal commands and 10 strategic commands engage in weekly sensitisation campaigns,” he noted.
On treatment and rehabilitation, Marwa revealed that NDLEA currently operates 30 rehabilitation centres across the country and is expanding facilities in partnership with state governments, NGOs and international allies. “If there is no demand, there will be no supply. That is why treating dependence and supporting recovery is central to defeating drug abuse,” he added.
The event also featured commendations from stakeholders.
Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, praised Marwa’s leadership, describing NDLEA’s impact as transformational. “Every day we hear of drugs being intercepted. The incredible work Gen. Marwa is doing to protect our young people cannot be overstated. You cannot detach drug abuse from national security,” he said.
Rafsanjani also emphasized the sacrifices of security personnel across Nigeria and urged continued public support. He pledged sustained solidarity from organizations including Amnesty International, Transparency International and CISLAC.
Similarly, Chairman of the Centre for Crisis Communication, Gen. Chris Olukolade (rtd), Chairman of Image Merchants Promotion Ltd., Prof. Sule Yau Sule, and PRNigeria’s MD/Editor-in-Chief, Yushau Shuaib, all commended NDLEA’s achievements and Marwa’s reforms.
The event also witnessed the unveiling of Anti-Drug, Anti-Smuggling Campaigns: A Corpers’ Chronicle, authored by Youth Corps members Arafat Abdulrazaq and Tahir Ahmad.
The highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of awards, with Marwa receiving the Outstanding Personality of the Year award and NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, receiving the Outstanding Crisis Communicator of the Year award. Other agencies honoured included the Nigerian Army, Air Force, DSS, EFCC, ICPC and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
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