Abuja: The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, has emphasized the necessity of a coordinated national response to effectively combat illicit drug use and trafficking in Nigeria. Marwa stated that the growing challenge of drug abuse cannot be tackled by any single institution in isolation.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Marwa made these remarks at the National Drug Summit in Abuja, which was jointly organized by the NDLEA, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). He described the summit as a crucial platform for reflection, dialogue, and collective action against the increasing burden of drug use and substance disorders in the country.
The summit followed a week-long World Drug Day programme aimed at raising awareness and renewing stakeholders’ commitment to tackling the evolving drug situation in Nigeria. Marwa highlighted that, although the NDLEA has recorded significant achievements in both drug supply and demand reduction, addressing the complexity of the drug problem requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
Marwa stressed that government institutions, communities, families, development partners, the private sector, religious and traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and the media all have vital roles in addressing the menace. He noted that the summit’s timing aligns with global efforts to confront persistent drug challenges through innovative and collaborative strategies.
The NDLEA Chairman also reported on the agency’s operational achievements, including the arrest of 29,262 suspects and the seizure of over 5.3 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs valued at more than N1.5 trillion in the past 18 months. These operations led to the conviction of 5,225 drug offenders and the dismantling of multiple drug trafficking networks across Nigeria.
Marwa highlighted the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, which aims to reduce drug demand. This initiative involves nationwide awareness programmes in schools, communities, worship centres, workplaces, markets, motor parks, and correctional facilities. He noted that the agency conducted 6,645 sensitization and awareness programmes in the past 18 months, reaching nearly five million Nigerians, and provided counselling, treatment, and rehabilitation to 13,508 drug users through its 31 rehabilitation centres.
The NDLEA also launched the Alternative Development Initiative to assist cannabis sativa growers in transitioning from illicit cultivation to legitimate cash crop production and other sustainable livelihoods.
Marwa expressed confidence in the potential for stronger partnerships, shared responsibility, and sustained commitment by all stakeholders to significantly reduce drug use and contribute to a healthier, safer, and more prosperous Nigeria. Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, emphasized that the summit’s success would be measured by tangible outcomes, such as decreases in drug use among young people and the restoration of families.
UNODC Country representative, Mr Cheikh Toure, commended the collaboration across ministries, agencies, civil society, the private sector, and development partners, emphasizing the united support of the UN family for a comprehensive, balanced, and evidence-based response to Nigeria’s drug challenge. The summit, themed ‘Addressing Illicit Drug Use and Trafficking: A Call to National Action’, gathered government officials, development partners, and stakeholders to deliberate on sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s drug problem.