Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has called on the international community to unite in dismantling criminal drug networks that threaten global peace and stability.
Speaking on Monday, 13th October 2025, at the 80th United Nations General Assembly Plenary Session of the Third Committee in New York, United States, Marwa emphasised the need for coordinated action against the transnational drug trade.
“Madam Chair, the world can no longer be held hostage by the illicit drug trade. We must stand together — resolute and united — to dismantle the networks that threaten our peace, stability, and collective future,” a statement by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA
Headquarters, Abuja, confirmed the address on Tuesday, 14th October 2025.
Marwa highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in the fight against drugs, noting the country’s commitment to international cooperation and intelligence sharing.
He reported that Nigeria has signed memoranda of understanding with several countries and maintains partnerships with organisations including the UNODC, European Union, DEA, INL, NCA, and BKA.
These collaborations, he said, have facilitated significant seizures, arrests of high-profile traffickers, and successful prosecutions, all conducted with respect for human rights.
Addressing the theme of the session, which recognises the multidimensional nature of the global drug problem, Marwa outlined Nigeria’s evidence-based strategies. These include measures against money laundering linked to drug proceeds and expanded support for individuals affected by drug use through rehabilitation, opioid substitution therapy, and safer needle exchange programmes.
He described cannabis as the most commonly abused drug in Nigeria and detailed the Alternative Development Programme, which encourages communities to replace illicit cannabis cultivation with legitimate livelihoods while promoting food security and environmental protection. The NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, he added, mobilises various sectors of society to sensitise the public on the dangers of drug abuse and reinforces collective responsibility in safeguarding families and communities.
Marwa further addressed emerging challenges such as new psychoactive substances and the use of the Dark Web for trafficking. He outlined Nigeria’s measures against methamphetamine production, including preventing diversion of precursor chemicals and dismantling clandestine laboratories.
The NDLEA chief also highlighted the role of the National Drug Control Master Plan in fostering collaboration among stakeholders, resulting in measurable outcomes. In promoting social justice, he noted the agency operates a 24-hour toll-free drug call centre, staffed by professionals offering counselling in major Nigerian languages, bridging the treatment gap and addressing the stigma associated with drug use.
