By Nkechi Eze
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has warned drug barons, traffickers and their networks to abandon the illicit trade immediately or brace for unprecedented heat as he begins his second five-year tenure.
Director of Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, disclosed in an official signed statement that Marwa, who was reappointed on Friday, 14 November 2025, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was welcomed back to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja by jubilant management staff and personnel singing and dancing in celebration of the presidential announcement. Addressing them, he expressed profound gratitude to the president for recognising the ongoing national 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. Thank you very much,” Marwa said. “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 of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun, in addition to appreciating “all our local and international partners, with whom we have continued to collaborate towards ridding Nigeria of illicit substances.”
Turning his attention to drug cartels, Marwa delivered a stern message. “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,” he declared. He reaffirmed that the agency remains firmly aligned with President Tinubu’s mandate, adding: “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.”
Marwa also issued an appeal to those still involved in drug trafficking. “This is the right time for them to drop that criminal business and face something legitimate,” he urged. He explained that this was the rationale behind the creation of the Alternative Development Unit, which seeks to dissuade individuals—especially cannabis cultivators, described as the country’s “greatest challenge”—from illicit cultivation by offering support for legal, economically viable crops. “We are going to support towards licit cultivation of crops that are legitimate, legal, and you can sleep with your two eyes closed,” he said.
“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.”
The NDLEA boss further pledged that the agency would intensify its drug demand-reduction initiatives. “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,” he said. He noted that under the 2025 budget, seven additional centres would be established through the Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure every state in the federation has a rehabilitation facility. He praised the Minister of Health for his collaboration and commended the Minister of Education for approving NDLEA’s recommendation for drug tests for students seeking admission into tertiary institutions, a measure he said would help “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,” Marwa concluded.
