NDLEA: Drug control is a shared responsibility to rid Nigeria of illicit substances

*Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, assures Nigerians, local and international partners the anti-narcotics regulatory agency will build on previous successes during his second 5-year tenure with aggressive interdictions and compassionate treatment, rehabilitation and prevention programmes

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

In regard to efforts at ensuring a drug-free Nigerian society, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said tackling drug trafficking, substance abuse, and related social vices must be a shared responsibility among all local and global stakeholders.

ConsumerConnect reports Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), Chairman of NDLEA, noted this in his Keynote Address delivered at the 7th Security and Emergency Management Awards and Conference (SAEMA 2025) held at the agency’s National Headquarters, in Abuja, FCT.

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The annual event held in collaboration with the Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the International Emergency Management Society (TIEMS).

Highlights of SAEMA 2025   included the presentation of a book entitled: “Anti-Drug, Anti-Smuggling Campaigns: A Corpers’ Chronicle”, written by Arafat Abdulrazaq and Tahir Ahmad, two National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

Marwa pledged the anti-narcotics regulatory agency would build on the successes of the last five years during his second tenure with aggressive interdictions and compassionate treatment, rehabilitation and prevention programmes.

The Chairman also stated: “The task before us, which is securing our nation is a shared responsibility.

“The awards presented today are a reminder that all security agencies, emergency responders, and civil society partners are working towards the same goal: a safe, stable, and prosperous Nigeria.”

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He restated the NDLEA’s commitment to the cause, determined to build on the successes of the past few years.

Marwa further asserted: “We will continue to adopt a balanced approach placing equal emphasis on Supply Reduction through aggressive interdiction and Demand Reduction through compassionate treatment and prevention.

“This menace demands a multi-sectoral response involving law enforcement agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, educators, the media, and the entire community.

“This is why I can’t but commend IMPR and its partners for this initiative as well as choosing ‘Drug Control and National Security: Innovations for a Safer Tomorrow’ as the theme for SAEMA 2025.”

Speaking at the forum, Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC, applauded Marwa for providing good leadership for NDLEA.

Rafsanjani particularly commended Marwa in helping to redeem and reform Nigeria from certain people determined to destroy the country’s young population.

Marwa said: “His work, you can see it every day. Every day we hear drugs being intercepted and taken out from the hands of the public.

“The incredible amount of work that Gen. Marwa is doing to this country, I don’t think people have even sat down to reflect.”

The Executive Director of CISLAC averred: “Because if you see the danger that our young people have been going through as a result of taking drugs, it’s incredible.

“Equally important, we know that there’s no way you can also detach issues of drugs abuse with the issues of security in this country.”

Significance of Awards

Highlighting the objectives of organising SAEMA 2025 Awards, Rafsanjani disclosed the ceremony was a n avenue to recognise the people and institutions that have been making sacrifices across Nigeria.

He equally noted that a lot of security personnel have continued to make huge sacrifices for the West African country, for all Nigerians to live in peace.

Rafsanjani, however, said “sadly, many of them have died, and not much appreciation from the public.

“So for us as an organisation, we appreciate the tremendous work that our security personnel are doing in this country.”

The Executive Director also stated: “And we will continue to support every effort to boost their morale, to give them the necessary credible information so that they can continue to make this country safe and better for us.

“Both at the level of Amnesty International, which I chair the board, Transparency International, which I head, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, which I also head.”

He assured the stakeholders: “We’re all in this solidarity and support to the tremendous effort that our security personnel are putting in this country.

“And we will continue to support them and we will continue to ensure that we urge other Nigerians to also do the same.”

In their remarks during the presentation of the new book, Arafat and co-author Tahir, expressed gratitude to IMPR for publishing their work, and to their organisations for mentorship and support during their service year.

The Corps member-authors said covering the activities of NDLEA and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had deepened their understanding of the fight against drug trafficking and smuggling, and inspired them to contribute through research and writing.

Dr. Sule Sule, Chairman of IMPR, reviewed the book and Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade (Rtd.) of the Centre for Crisis Communication presented the publication on the occasion.

Roll call of awardees

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of “Outstanding Personality of the Year” Award to Brig.-Gen. Marwa (Rtd.), while Mr. Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA, bagged the “Outstanding Crisis Communicator of the Year’ Award.

Other individuals and agencies honoured included the NSCDC FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu as the “Law Enforcement Officer of the Year”, Nigerian Army, Air Force, FRSC, NCS, DSS, EFCC, ICPC, and NCoS among others.

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