ABUJA — National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) warned drug barons and trafficking cartels on Friday to abandon the illicit trade or brace for an even harsher crackdown as he begins a second five-year tenure.
Marwa, reappointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Nov. 14, told cheering officers and staff at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja that his renewed mandate would intensify pressure on traffickers. He said the president’s decision was a recognition of the agency’s “ongoing efforts against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.”
“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,” Marwa said. “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.”
He also acknowledged the support of Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Minister of Finance Wale Edun; and “all our local and international partners… collaborating towards ridding Nigeria of illicit substances.”
Directly addressing drug cartels, Marwa issued a blunt warning. “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,” he said. He added that the agency had already begun delivering on the pledge he made when first appointed that “NDLEA will be feared by the drug cartels.”
Marwa urged those involved in illicit trafficking to abandon the criminal enterprise and embrace legal livelihoods, pointing to the agency’s Alternative Development Unit. “This is the right time for them to drop that criminal business,” he said. “We are going to support licit cultivation of crops that are legitimate… but those who refuse… will be arrested, the drugs will be seized, and your assets will be confiscated. You come out from jail, there will be nothing left.”
The NDLEA chief also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to drug demand reduction, including prevention, counseling, treatment and rehabilitation across its 30 centres nationwide. Under the 2025 budget, he said, seven new centres will be established, ensuring at least one facility in every state, with zonal centres to follow.
Marwa praised the Minister of Health for expanding collaboration and commended the Minister of Education for adopting NDLEA’s recommendation that tertiary institutions conduct drug tests for new students. The measure, he said, would help “catch them young before it gets into addiction stage.”
“May the Almighty God bless our President, bless all those who are supporting us, bless the officers, men and women of NDLEA,” Marwa said.
