By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
— Fagbemi, Marwa, UNODC back inter-agency synergy to combat addiction crisis
NIGERIA’s TOP justice and drug control officials have thrown their weight behind the recent amendment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act, expressing hope that the reform will strengthen the country’s battle against drug abuse and trafficking once signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking at the opening of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drug Control (IMC) meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, commended the NDLEA’s “unprecedented efforts” over the past four years, citing achievements in drug seizures, arrests, and community outreach campaigns under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.
Represented by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, Fagbemi said:
“We are at the last lap of finalising the amendment of the NDLEA Act, which will significantly enhance the organisational capability of the agency to control the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.”
He added that the Ministry of Justice is also supporting the agency in targeting the financial roots of drug networks by managing proceeds of crime—a critical element in disrupting cartel operations.
Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman and CEO of the NDLEA, delivered a sobering yet optimistic address.
He acknowledged funding challenges in implementing the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP 2021–2025) but praised the agency’s resilience and the passage of the amended Act by the National Assembly.
“Certain developments promise to bolster the achievement of our objectives. One such step is the amendment of the NDLEA Act, which is expected to significantly strengthen the Agency’s institutional capacity in drug supply reduction,” Marwa said.
Highlighting performance figures for 2023 and 2024, Marwa reported the arrest of 31,334 drug offenders, with 6,839 convictions secured.
The agency seized over 4.3 million kilograms of assorted drugs and destroyed 426.5 hectares of cannabis farms. On the rehabilitation front, 19,033 individuals received counselling and treatment services.
He also praised the success of the WADA advocacy platform, which he said had mobilised communities nationwide through a strategic prevention approach.
UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Ousmane Toure, represented by Dr. Akani Ibanga, warned that Nigeria faces a dual crisis of public health and national security from the scourge of drug use.
“At least three million Nigerians are suffering from drug use disorder. That’s about 7.5 percent of the global burden—a figure that should worry all of us,” Ibanga said, urging sustained evidence-based and data-driven interventions.
He praised the NDLEA’s cross-sector coordination and urged stakeholders to honour the final phase of the NDCMP with renewed urgency and cooperation.
Minister Fagbemi commended the IMC’s coordination of Nigeria’s whole-of-government drug control response.
He lauded state governments and civil society organisations for establishing grassroots committees and driving inclusive anti-drug strategies.
“Let us leave this meeting with renewed commitment to protecting our youth, securing our communities, and building a healthier, safer Nigeria for generations to come,” he said.
The event brought together representatives from law enforcement, the judiciary, health institutions, civil society, and international organisations, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s collective campaign against the rising tide of substance abuse.
