ABUJA, Nigeria (Chatnewstv.com) — Nigeria’s anti-drug agency and the United Nations have urged citizens and state governments to take ownership of the fight against substance abuse, warning that the country cannot win the war on drugs through centralized efforts alone.
“The responsibility of shielding our citizens from harmful substances does not rest solely on the shoulders of the NDLEA,” said Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday. “It is a collective duty—one that demands the involvement of all.”
The press conference, held jointly with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), unveiled a weeklong schedule of awareness activities to commemorate the 2025 World Drug Day, under the theme: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.”
According to Marwa, the campaign will feature advocacy events across religious institutions, universities, markets, and motor parks, and will culminate in a grand finale on June 26 at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
Key activities include:
A Walk Against Drug Abuse in partnership with MTN Nigeria and the University of Abuja
Juma’at and Christian thanksgiving services
An essay competition featuring schoolchildren’s reflections on avoiding drug use
Outreach to out-of-school youth and informal workers across the Federal Capital Territory
Marwa said NDLEA had made significant strides in enforcement, including a rise in arrests, convictions, and seizures. “We are embedding innovation in our operations. Body cameras are now fully integrated into our field activities,” he noted.
He also highlighted infrastructure improvements, including the commissioning of barracks in Adamawa, Abuja, and soon in Lagos, along with a new rehabilitation facility in Kano.
Speaking on behalf of UNODC, Deputy Country Representative Danilo Campisi stressed that drug trafficking is tied to broader criminal networks. “The illicit drug trade is deeply connected to human trafficking, illegal mining, and violent extremism,” he said. “Its proceeds often finance groups that destabilize entire regions.”
Campisi called on state governments to play a stronger role in prevention. “We will not make significant progress if interventions continue to be centralized,” he warned.
He praised NDLEA’s efforts under Marwa’s leadership, adding, “UNODC is proud to stand with Nigeria in dismantling criminal networks, preventing addiction, and restoring dignity through recovery.”
World Drug Day is marked globally every June 26. This year’s observance, officials say, will focus heavily on grassroots mobilization and preventive education.
Editor: Gabriel Ani
