The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has called on Nigerians to take full ownership of the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, describing public participation as vital to winning the war.
He made this call on Wednesday in Abuja during a joint press conference with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to announce a series of events marking the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (World Drug Day), observed annually on June 26.
“As we enter another UN year dedicated to prevention, it’s important to emphasize that protecting our citizens from harmful substances is a shared responsibility. The NDLEA cannot do it alone. Families, schools, communities, faith-based organisations, and trade unions must all play a part,” Marwa stated.
He noted that the theme for this year’s observance—“The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention”—will guide the NDLEA’s awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagements over the next 12 months.
Outlining the schedule of activities, Marwa said the agency had planned a weeklong series of impactful events including:
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Friday, June 20: Juma’at Service at the National Mosque, Abuja
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Saturday, June 21: Walk Against Drug Abuse in collaboration with MTN Foundation and University of Abuja at the Gwagwalada campus
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Sunday, June 22: Thanksgiving Service at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Wuye
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Monday, June 23: Final round of a student essay competition on “Why I Must Not Take Drugs” at NDLEA Headquarters, Jahi, alongside NGO-led advocacy activities
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Tuesday, June 24: Market and motor park outreach targeting out-of-school youth in FCT Area Councils
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Wednesday, June 26: Grand finale and official commemoration at the State House Conference Centre
Marwa also highlighted significant progress in NDLEA’s operational reforms. “In the past four and a half years, the agency has made major strides in arrests, convictions, and drug seizures. We’ve embedded innovation into our enforcement operations, including the use of body-worn cameras in the field,” he said.
He added that the agency had improved personnel welfare and infrastructure, citing the commissioning of barracks in Adamawa and Kano states, with projects in Abuja and Lagos nearing completion.
Representing the UNODC Country Office, Deputy Head Danilo Campisi reiterated the importance of prevention and the need for broader collaboration. He emphasized that drug trafficking is intricately linked to other forms of organized crime, including human trafficking, illegal mining, and environmental degradation—many of which help fund extremist violence.
Campisi praised the NDLEA’s efforts and called on sub-national governments to actively participate in drug control initiatives. “We must decentralize intervention strategies to ensure wider access to prevention and treatment services. State governments have a crucial role to play alongside the NDLEA and other stakeholders,” he said.
He reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through capacity building in border management, law enforcement, and regional cooperation. “We stand in solidarity with the Nigerian government, civil society, and communities in breaking criminal supply chains, preventing addiction, and supporting recovery. We commend Gen. Marwa’s courageous leadership, which continues to shape meaningful progress on both the supply and demand fronts,” he concluded.
