The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has commended the agency’s officers for intensifying the war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the country, recording major operational breakthroughs in the last two and a half years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking at an awards and commendation ceremony held on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Marwa said the agency recorded 45,853 arrests, seized 8.5 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs, secured 9,263 convictions, and counselled and rehabilitated 26,613 drug users within 30 months.
He also disclosed that 9,848 sensitisation activities under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign were conducted in schools, workplaces, markets, motor parks, worship centres, and communities nationwide during the period.
“Today, we specifically recognize those who have gone above and beyond. We celebrate those who, despite facing immense danger and relentless temptation, chose the path of integrity, selflessness, and unwavering dedication to our mandate,” said NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, quoting Marwa.
During the ceremony, 220 officers received commendation letters and awards for outstanding performance, while 15 senior officers were decorated with new ranks.
Marwa said the recognition was part of the agency’s commitment to sustaining a reward system that motivates personnel to maintain high morale and professionalism.“This is why we uphold our tradition of rewarding key virtues — hard work, loyalty, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, honesty, courage, and obedience.
The CCEO Command Awards and Commendations remain one of our primary ways of appreciating the efforts of the NDLEA workforce,” Babafemi quoted him as saying.
The NDLEA boss, however, acknowledged that the drug problem in Nigeria remains “monumental,” describing drug trafficking and abuse as threats to the nation’s social fabric, economic stability, and national security.
“Drug abuse and trafficking fuel crime, corrupt our youth, and provide resources for terrorism and insurgency. For every kilogram of cocaine intercepted or major drug kingpin apprehended, we deliver a critical blow to these criminal networks,” Marwa said.
He assured that under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the NDLEA would continue to dismantle drug cartels and disrupt trafficking networks through intelligence-led operations and international partnerships.
Marwa also expressed appreciation to local and foreign partners for their sustained support, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INL, UK Border Force, and the governments of France and Germany.
He further thanked the National Assembly, the Minister of Justice, the Judiciary, and President Tinubu for their backing, describing their collaboration as pivotal to the agency’s growing success.
“We are where we are today because of the unwavering support we have received from these institutions. We are optimistic this support will continue, enabling us to fulfil our mandate of making Nigeria a drug-free nation,” Babafemi quoted Marwa as saying.
