Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Marwa (rtd), has called on the international community to unite in tackling the global illicit drug trade.
Marwa made the appeal while addressing the 80th Plenary Session of the Third Committee at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in October.
He said the world must no longer be “held hostage by the illicit drug trade”, stressing the need for collective global action to dismantle criminal networks that threaten peace, stability, and development.
Marwa reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to international cooperation and intelligence sharing, noting that the transnational nature of drug trafficking requires joint efforts among nations.
He disclosed that Nigeria has signed memoranda of understanding with several countries and strengthened partnerships with international organisations, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the European Union (EU), the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA).
According to him, these collaborations have resulted in major drug seizures, arrests of high-profile traffickers, and successful prosecutions, all achieved while upholding human rights standards.
Marwa aligned Nigeria’s position with the theme of the UNGA session, which recognised that the global drug problem is a multidimensional challenge requiring coordinated and collective action.
He outlined Nigeria’s strategic interventions, including tougher measures against money laundering linked to drug proceeds and expanded care for individuals affected by drug use through rehabilitation centres and safer needle exchange programmes.
Marwa identified cannabis as the most commonly abused drug in Nigeria and highlighted the country’s Alternative Development Programme, which aims to replace illicit cannabis cultivation with legitimate means of livelihood.
He further noted Nigeria’s efforts to counter emerging threats such as new psychoactive substances and trafficking via the Dark Web. He said the NDLEA is taking decisive steps to prevent the diversion of precursor chemicals used in the production of methamphetamine.
Marwa also mentioned the establishment of a 24-hour toll-free drug call centre offering professional counselling to bridge treatment gaps and reduce the stigma associated with drug use. He said the initiative strengthens collaboration among stakeholders and contributes to advancing social justice.
