By Nkechi Eze
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has declared that the era of Nigeria serving as a safe haven for drug trafficking networks is over, following unprecedented operational achievements recorded by the Agency over the past five years.
Marwa made the declaration at the 11th Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CCEO) Awards and Commendation Ceremony held at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja, where 166 officers and 17 Commands were honoured for outstanding performance. He also charged officers and men of the Agency to prepare for even more tactically sophisticated operations against drug cartels, barons and their networks in the coming years.
In a statement signed by the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA boss revealed that between 2021 and 2025, the Agency recorded a total of 77,792 arrests, including 128 identified drug barons who played central roles in major trafficking syndicates. Within the same period, NDLEA secured 14,225 convictions and seized a staggering 14,847,486.34 kilograms of assorted illicit substances, significantly disrupting both local and transnational drug supply chains.
“When I first resumed in 2021, I promised to take the fight to the doorsteps of the merchants of death. Today, the numbers speak for themselves. Through our collective resilience, we have sent a clear message that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for illicit drug enterprise,” Marwa stated.
He noted that beyond arrests and seizures, the Agency has also strengthened the criminal justice response to drug offences through diligent prosecution, ensuring that offenders face the full consequences of their actions. According to him, the convictions secured over the last five years have reinforced deterrence and affirmed the resolve of the Nigerian state to confront drug crime head-on.
Marwa further highlighted NDLEA’s balanced approach to drug control, which places equal emphasis on demand reduction. He disclosed that 32,442 drug users benefitted from structured treatment, counselling and rehabilitation programmes, while 13,735 War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities were conducted nationwide. These campaigns, he said, covered schools, motor parks, workplaces, worship centres and communities, significantly expanding preventive awareness and citizen engagement.
The NDLEA Chairman attributed the Agency’s successes to discipline, leadership, intelligence-led operations and clear performance expectations, while expressing deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support. He described the President’s decision to extend the current leadership’s mandate as a renewed call to escalate the war against drug abuse and trafficking.
“These achievements are not accidental. They are the result of discipline, leadership, intelligence-led operations and clear performance expectations. This journey would not have been possible without the unflinching support of the President. I therefore wish to express my profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the absolute trust he has reposed in my leadership and in the entire workforce of this Agency,” Marwa said.
He assured Nigerians that the achievements of the past five years merely lay the foundation for more aggressive action in his second tenure. “In this second tenure, we will escalate the war against drug abuse and trafficking to new heights of efficiency and results,” he added.
Addressing officers and personnel of the Agency, Marwa warned against complacency, stressing that the next phase of operations would demand greater grit, intelligence and tactical sophistication. He declared that NDLEA would not relent until every drug baron is brought to justice and every illicit substance removed from Nigerian communities.
“There is no room for complacency. We must remain proactive, intelligence-led and ruthless in our pursuit of those who seek to destroy our youth and our national security. There will be no retreat and no complacency,” he warned.
The 11th CCEO Awards and Commendation Ceremony recognised gallant NDLEA personnel who demonstrated exceptional courage, integrity and professionalism in the line of duty. Marwa urged the awardees to see their plaques and certificates as reminders that excellence is valued, while encouraging other officers to draw inspiration from their achievements.
He explained that the Commands Awards and Commendations form part of the Agency’s bi-annual appraisal system and internal reward mechanism, designed to boost morale and reinforce commitment to organisational goals. According to him, motivation, discipline and a sense of urgency have been key drivers of NDLEA’s resurgence and improved performance.
Marwa also acknowledged the vital contributions of international partners, sister security agencies, civil society organisations and the media, calling for deeper and more strategic collaboration in the years ahead to safeguard the future of Nigerian children and strengthen national security.
