…says cannabis farmers posing greatest threats
…promises seven more rehab centers under 2025 budget
Buba Marwa, chairman/chief executive officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has warned drug barons, traffickers, and their cartels to quit the criminal trade or face tougher times during his second tenure.
Marwa, who was reappointed by President Bola Tinubu for another five-year term on Friday, 14 November 2025, addressed jubilant management staff, officers, men, and women of the Agency in Abuja.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, said in a statement on Saturday that Marwa, a retired Brigadier General, promised that his second tenure would be “hell and bleak for those who fail to quit the illicit drug trade.”
He also expressed appreciation to the President for recognising the Agency’s ongoing efforts against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.
“We thank the President and Commander-in-Chief for the special recognition of our collective efforts and the new mandate for us to continue the war against drug abuse and trafficking,” he said.
He further thanked the management, officers, men, and women of the Agency “who continue to serve the nation 24/7 despite the risks that you all face.”
Marwa also acknowledged the support of Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. He extended appreciation to “all our local and international partners with whom we continue to collaborate towards ridding Nigeria of illicit substances.”
In his message to the drug cartels, he said, “First, this word must go to the cartels. The cartels have not seen anything yet. I promise them this second tenure is going to be hell and bleak for them. Drugs shall not pass, in or out or within Nigeria.”
He also reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to President Tinubu’s mandate, assuring that “in line with our Act, we will continue to do our level best. I remember in my inaugural speech, the day I took over, and I said very clearly that NDLEA will be feared by the drug cartels. And that’s just the beginning.”
“At the same time, I must appeal to those who are engaged in illicit drug trafficking that this is the right time for them to drop that criminal business and face something legitimate.
“It is in line with this that we established the Alternative Development Unit, which seeks to persuade those perpetrating illicit drug activities, particularly cannabis growers, who pose our greatest challenge in Nigeria, to desist from the practice and collaborate with us. We are going to support them in the licit cultivation of legitimate, legal crops that allow them to sleep with their two eyes closed.
“But those who refuse to do that can be sure that the NDLEA is up and able on its task of law enforcement. You will be arrested, the drugs will be seized, and your assets will be confiscated. So, you come out from jail, there will be nothing left.”
Read also: NDLEA destroys 52,481kg of illicit drugs in Kaduna
He also assured that the Agency will remain committed to its drug demand reduction efforts, adding that “I’ll take the opportunity again to announce the rededication of our efforts towards prevention, sensitisation, counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation of our children in our 30 rehabilitation centres.”
He assured that with the support of the President and the Renewed Hope Agenda, seven more rehab centres are coming up under the 2025 budget that will now make every state to have its own rehab centre.
“There will be zonal rehab, more rehab centres and we are getting full collaboration from the Minister of Health.
“We appreciate his efforts also, and the Minister of Education, who has accepted our recommendation for drug tests for our children on admission to tertiary institutions, so that with this we can catch them young before it gets into addiction stage. May the Almighty God bless our President, bless all those that are supporting us, bless the officers, men and women of NDLEA,” he said.
