Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), has issued a stern warning to drug barons, traffickers, and their networks to cease their illicit activities or face intensified crackdowns during his newly extended tenure.
Following his reappointment by President Bola Tinubu for a second five-year term, Marwa addressed the jubilant staff and officers of the NDLEA gathered at the agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja. He declared that the coming years would be exceedingly challenging for those involved in the illegal drug trade.
Marwa expressed gratitude to the president for acknowledging the ongoing efforts against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across Nigeria.
He stated, “First of all, what a surprise, I did not expect to come back from jumat service to meet these great felicitations, dancing, and singing by our personnel. Thank you very much. We would like to thank the almighty God, because always the glory has to go to Him for everything. We thank the President and Commander-in-Chief for the special recognition of our collective efforts and the new mandate for us to continue with the war against drug abuse and trafficking. I thank the management, officers, men, and women of the agency, who continue to provide service to the nation 24/7, in spite of the risks that you all face.”
He also acknowledged the unwavering support from the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, while extending gratitude to “all our local and international partners, with whom we have continued to collaborate towards ridding Nigeria of illicit substances.”
He added, “First, this word must go to the cartels. The cartels have not seen anything yet. I promise them this second tenure is going to be hell and bleak for them. Drugs shall not pass, in or out or within Nigeria.”
Marwa reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to President Tinubu’s mandate, stating, “In line with our Act, we will continue to do our level best. I remember in my inaugural speech, the day I took over, and I said very clearly that NDLEA will be feared by the drug cartels. And that’s just the beginning.
“At the same time, I must appeal to those who are engaged in illicit drug trafficking that this is the right time for them to drop that criminal business and face something legitimate. It is in line with that that we established the Alternative Development Unit, which seeks to persuade those who are perpetrating the illicit drug activities, particularly cannabis growers, who are our greatest challenge in Nigeria, to desist from the habit, collaborate with us. We are going to support towards licit cultivation of crops that are legitimate, legal, and you can sleep with your two eyes closed.
“But those who refuse to do that can be sure that the NDLEA is up and able on its task of law enforcement. You will be arrested, the drugs will be seized, and your assets will be confiscated. So, you come out from jail, there will be nothing left.”
He also assured that the agency will remain committed to its drug demand reduction efforts. “I’ll take the opportunity again to announce the rededication of our efforts towards prevention, sensitization, counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation of our children in our 30 rehabilitation centres. And with the support of the President and the Renewed Hope Agenda, seven more rehab centres are coming up under the 2025 budget that will now make every state to have its own rehab centre.
“And as well, there will be zonal rehab, more rehab centres and we are getting full collaboration from the Honourable Minister of Health. We appreciate his efforts also, and the Honourable Minister of Education, who has accepted our recommendation for drug tests for our children on admission to tertiary institutions, so that with this we can catch them young before it gets into addiction stage. May the Almighty God bless our President, bless all those that are supporting us, bless the officers, men and women of NDLEA.”
