President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a zero-tolerance stance on drug trafficking, pledging innovative, evidence-based interventions to wipe out substance abuse across Nigeria.
In a statement released Friday, June 26, NDLEA Director of Media & Publicity Femi Babafemi noted that President Tinubu vowed to sustain the momentum against drug cartels during the 2026 World Drug Day finale in Abuja. The President’s charge was delivered by the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, San.
Amplifying this year’s theme:
“The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” the President stressed that defeating today’s evolving global drug crisis requires constant vigilance, rapid adaptation, and collective force
The President emphasized that the drug crisis isn’t just an individual battle; it actively undermines families, classrooms, workplaces, and overall national security.
To combat this crisis, the President affirmed that the federal government is confronting these challenges through a highly coordinated, multi-faceted strategy: “My administration remains committed to creating an environment in which young Nigerians can thrive and succeed. Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are expanding access to education, promoting skills development, supporting entrepreneurship, creating employment opportunities and implementing social interventions that address some of the underlying factors that make individuals vulnerable to substance abuse and criminal recruitment.
“At the same time, we recognize that reducing demand must be matched by decisive action to disrupt supply. This requires stronger border management, enhanced surveillance of ports, airports, seaports and land crossings, improved intelligence gathering and closer collaboration among national, regional and international law enforcement agencies. Criminal organizations operate across borders, and our response must be equally coordinated and effective.”
Highlighting the power of innovation, President Tinubu noted that data, science, and cutting-edge technology are now Nigeria’s most vital weapons against trafficking:
“We must continue to strengthen our capacity to collect, analyse and apply data so that emerging trends are identified early, interventions are properly evaluated and strategic decisions are informed by facts.”
“As illicit drug markets evolve, our ability to detect and identify drugs and precursor chemicals must evolve as well. Strengthening forensic laboratories, enhancing technological capabilities and supporting scientific research will remain essential if we are to stay ahead of emerging threats. Our criminal justice system must continue to receive the support it needs to deal effectively with drug-related crimes. Law enforcement officers, investigators, prosecutors and the courts all have important roles to play in ensuring that criminal organizations are disrupted and offenders are held accountable under the law”, he added.
In a major highlight of the summit, President Tinubu hailed the NDLEA leadership and frontline officers for fiercely taking the fight straight to drug cartels.
“This is a fitting occasion for me to convey my strong commendation to the officers, men and leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency under the able leadership of Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), CON, OFR. I wish to particularly highlight the remarkable strides made by the Agency in terms of increased arrests and seizures, successful convictions, multi-billion-naira forfeitures, extensive rehabilitation and advocacy campaigns, as well as the dismantling of organized drug cartels and trafficking networks, including the one behind the largest methamphetamine laboratory in Nigeria. These achievements stand as a testament to our administration’s zero tolerance for organized crime and an unwavering commitment to safeguarding society from the devastating effects of narcotics.
“However, as commendable as these achievements are, government cannot win this battle alone. The complexity and scope of the drug problem demands that every segment of our society plays an active role. We call on parents and families to provide loving homes, moral guidance, and open communication; on our educational institutions to strengthen drug prevention education and character development; on religious and traditional leaders to continue using their influence to discourage substance abuse while supporting those in recovery; on the media to raise awareness responsibly and avoid glamorizing drug use; and on the private sector to partner with government through job creation, prevention initiatives, and support for treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
”Together, through collective action and shared responsibility, we can protect our youth, strengthen our communities, and secure a healthier and safer future for Nigeria.,”
“The world drug problem is a shared challenge requiring a shared response,” President Tinubu reminded the audience. He called on civil society, international partners, and everyday citizens to reinforce their commitment to forging safer, healthier, and drug-free societies for future generations.
Delivering the opening address, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), affirmed Nigeria’s alignment with global frameworks to combat a persistent threat to national security, social stability, and human development.
He noted;
“in the face of these sophisticated threats, the NDLEA has not blinked. We remain resolute. Over the past year, the Agency has recorded monumental operational successes through intelligence-driven enforcement, dismantling seemingly untouchable syndicates and executing unprecedented seizures across our airports, seaports, land borders, and deep in the forests in communities.
“To those who think they can operate with impunity, our recent spectacular operational breakthroughs send an unmistakable message: there is no safe haven. In a masterclass of transnational intelligence sharing, the NDLEA, in seamless collaboration with the US-DEA, and law enforcement authorities from Greece, France, and Switzerland, successfully dismantled the notorious Amadi Simon drug cartel.
“With same zeal and vigour, we have effectively neutralized a highly sophisticated, cross-continental methamphetamine cartel. This operation led to the historic arrest of a 63-year-old Nigerian drug baron, Innocent Anochili, alongside three Mexican nationals and six other Nigerian accomplices, completely disrupting a major synthetic drug pipeline.
“And closely coming on the heels of this was the discovery of yet another industrial scale clandestine meth laboratory deep in the forest of Tapa village, Ibarapa North LGA, Oyo state, where a Mexican and four others were arrested and their multibillion-naira infrastructure of death shut down and dismantled.”
The NDLEA Chairman noted that the agency’s systemic successes stem from a strategic, five-year enforcement campaign that has effectively crippled the infrastructure of drug trafficking in the country. Over this period, major networks were dismantled, resulting in the high-profile arrest of over 234 drug barons.
The NDLEA’s 18-month scorecard paints a devastating picture for drug syndicates: 29,262 suspects arrested, 5,225 offenders convicted, and over 5.3 million kilograms of narcotics seized. The total street value of the confiscated drugs tops a colossal N1.5 trillion.
“These numbers represent more than just data; they represent millions of lives saved, billions of naira in criminal wealth confiscated, and a future reclaimed for our youths.”
Acknowledging that enforcement alone cannot solve the drug crisis, Marwa emphasized that the NDLEA has aggressively scaled up its Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) initiatives.
“Through our War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, we have conducted 6,645 drug use prevention focused sensitization and awareness creation programmes in schools, worship centres, work places, markets, motor parks and communities, and correctional facilities, among others, equipping nearly five million Nigerians with the life skills to resist drug abuse. Equally significant is the counselling, treatment and rehabilitation of 13,508 drug users across our 31 rehab centres spread all over the country within the same period.”
Aligning with this year’s mandate for innovative action, he revealed that;
“we are strengthening our use of technology, deep-web intelligence gathering, and advanced data analytics to identify emerging drug trends before they hit the streets”, adding that “we are radically upgrading our forensic and chemical analysis capabilities to improve the detection of precursor chemicals and new, exotic psychoactive substances.”
“Also important is our first in Africa Alternative Development Programme. This significant game-changing strategy is an initiative fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Alternative Development is about giving illicit cannabis growers an alternative source of legitimate income through the growing of licit crops like cassava, maize, cowpeas, cocoa etc thereby achieving sustainable livelihoods and economic empowerment.”
Marwa warmly thanked “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and encouragement to the Agency and demonstrated immense political will towards the fight against drug abuse and trafficking”,
Furthermore, the NDLEA Chairman acknowledged the vital contributions of local and international partners, civil society organizations, the press, and community leaders in advancing the agency’s mandate.
He also applauded NDLEA personnel,
calling them “ the thin green line standing between safety and chaos, working tirelessly day and night to protect our nation.”
Extending his profound gratitude to President Tinubu, he further thanked local and international partners, civil society organizations, the media, and community leaders for their unwavering support of the agency’s mission
“we can overcome current challenges, neutralize emerging threats, and build a safer, healthier, and more prosperous Nigeria for generations to come.”
Unveiling his presentation titled;
“Celebrating Progress and Inspiring Collective Actions against Drug Abuse”,
Prof. Oluwatoyin Odeku of the University of Ibadan declared that the country’s multi-year triumphs over narcotics are a historic cause for celebration.
“First, let us celebrate. Because celebration fuels courage. When NDLEA was re-energised in 2021, many thought the drug war was unwinnable. Today, the data tells a different story, and we have reasons to celebrate”, she stated.
In his remarks, UNODC Country Representative Cheikh Touré—represented by Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga—commended the Federal Government’s sustained commitment to tackling the drug crisis through a balanced, highly coordinated approach.
“The leadership of institutions such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Federal Ministry of Health, and other critical stakeholders demonstrates a growing recognition that effective drug control must integrate both supply and demand reduction, underpinned by evidence and respect for human rights. At UNODC, we are privileged to support these national efforts by advancing innovative, evidence-based responses that align with global standards and national priorities.”
Reaffirming UNODC’s alliance with Nigeria, Touré pledged continuous, high-level backing for the nation’s anti-drug crusade:
“we stand ready to continue providing technical expertise, fostering partnerships, and promoting innovative solutions that respond to the realities on the ground.”
Another major highlight of the event was the presentation of cash prizes and trophies to the three winners of the NDLEA Inter-Secondary School Essay Competition. Jennifer Ikpeamachi of Federal Government College, Enugu, clinched the first prize of N500,000, while Aliyu Kama of General Murtala Muhammed College, Yola, secured the N300,000 second prize. Ikechukwu Chiagoziem of Mimshak Academy, Mbawsi, Abia State, walked away with the N200,000 third prize.
The event drew heavy institutional backing from across Nigeria’s political and corporate landscapes. Key legislative and government leaders voicing support included Senate President Godswill Akpabio (represented by Senator Sadiq Sulaiman Umar), Hon. Lanre Okunola, and Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.
They were joined by the First Lady of Kwara State, Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq, FCTA Health Secretary Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, the MTN Foundation, NACA, and NAFDAC, all uniting behind the NDLEA’s ongoing enforcement and rehabilitation campaigns.
