The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, has called on the Nigerian public and state governments to take active ownership of the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
At a joint press conference with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC) at the NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, Marwa highlighted the importance of widespread participation in the activities marking the 2025 World Drug Day.
“As we enter another United Nations year focused on prevention, it is vital to stress that the responsibility of shielding our citizens from harmful substances does not rest solely on the shoulders of the NDLEA.
“It is a collective duty—one that demands the involvement of all, including the general public,” Marwa said.
In a statement given to Persecondnews on Wednesday in Abuja, Mr. Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, quoted the agency’s Chairman as saying that the NDLEA will intensify its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy.
He said the aim is to engage families, schools, communities, workplaces and other institutions in raising awareness and promoting prevention efforts.
Marwa highlighted the agency’s ongoing progress in drug law enforcement, citing significant increases in arrests, convictions, and drug seizures, as well as innovations such as the deployment of body cameras in field operations.
He also noted recent infrastructural achievements, including the commissioning of barracks and rehabilitation facilities in Adamawa and Kano states, with similar projects nearing completion in Abuja and Lagos.
He revealed that this year’s World Drug Day, themed “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” will serve as a framework for the agency’s outreach, including public awareness campaigns, stakeholder engagements, and youth programs.
A lineup of events has been scheduled:
Friday, June 20: Juma’at Service at the National Mosque, Abuja.
Saturday, June 21: Walk Against Drug Abuse in partnership with MTN Nigeria Foundation and the University of Abuja.
Sunday, June 22: Thanksgiving Service at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Wuye.
Monday, June 23: Final stage of a schools’ essay competition titled “Why I Must Not Take Drugs” at the NDLEA Conference Room, alongside NGO-led activities.
Tuesday, June 24: Outreach targeting out-of-school youth across markets and motor parks in FCT Area Councils.
Thursday, June 26 (World Drug Day): Grand finale at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
Also speaking, the UNODC’s Country Representative, Cheikh Ousman Toure, represented by Danilo Campisi, pointed out that drug trafficking is intricately linked to other crimes, including human trafficking, illegal mining, and environmental degradation.
He warned that the proceeds from these illicit activities often fund extremist groups, exacerbating instability and poverty.
Campisi advocated for the decentralisation of drug control efforts and increased sub-national involvement, urging state governments to collaborate with the NDLEA in delivering evidence-based prevention and treatment programmes.
He said: “Stopping drug trafficking requires long-term, coordinated action across levels of government. UNODC remains committed to supporting Nigeria through border management, forensic capacity building, intelligence sharing, and support for joint investigations.”
He praised the leadership of Gen. Marwa and reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to partnering with Nigeria in dismantling drug networks, preventing addiction, and restoring lives through recovery.
He said: “We are proud to be on this vital journey with Nigeria.”
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