The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd), has unveiled a comprehensive operational agenda for 2026, directing commanders nationwide to intensify efforts to dismantle drug cartels and expand public sensitization against substance abuse.
Marwa issued the directive at the agency’s annual review and strategic planning meeting held at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja. The high-level session was attended by members of management, zonal commanders, commanders of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as heads of seaports, international airports, marine units, strike force and special operations formations.
Addressing the gathering, the NDLEA chairman said the agency entered 2026 on a strong operational footing, building on record seizures, arrests and convictions achieved in recent years. He cautioned, however, that the progress recorded must not breed complacency, stressing the need to consolidate and expand existing gains.
According to Marwa, the 2026 operational focus will be driven by two core pillars: drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction. He explained that beyond intercepting illicit substances, the agency must aggressively disrupt the financial, logistical and organisational networks sustaining drug trafficking syndicates across the country.
He charged commanders to prioritise intelligence-driven operations, enhance surveillance and ensure meticulous planning before executing enforcement actions. Marwa warned that compromise, indiscipline and unprofessional conduct would not be tolerated, describing operational integrity as non-negotiable.
Commending officers and men of the agency for their commitment and resilience, Marwa noted that their performance over the past five years had significantly improved the NDLEA’s public image and international standing. He attributed the renewal of his tenure by the President to the collective efforts of commanders and operatives nationwide.
The NDLEA boss also underscored the growing importance of advocacy and public enlightenment in tackling drug abuse, particularly among young people. He said sensitization programmes in schools, communities and workplaces had yielded encouraging results, but insisted that such initiatives must be expanded and sustained in 2026.
He further directed commanders to strengthen State Drug Control Committees across the federation, ensuring functionality not only at the state level but also at local government and ward levels. Marwa described grassroots engagement as critical to winning the fight against substance abuse.
Reassuring Nigerians, he said the NDLEA remains fully committed to protecting families and communities from the destructive effects of illicit drugs, warning traffickers that there would be no safe havens or operational gaps in 2026.
Marwa also called on members of the public to remain vigilant and continue supporting the agency with credible information, stressing that the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse requires collective national responsibility.
