By Lizzy Chirkpi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying the fight against drug trafficking and abuse, declaring that it will continue to dismantle drug syndicates by targeting not only traffickers but also the financial networks that sustain their operations.
The agency made the pledge on Friday during a joint press briefing with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) at its headquarters in Abuja ahead of the 2026 World Drug Day commemoration.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s observance, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), said the rapidly evolving global drug landscape requires innovative and technology-driven responses.
Represented by the agency’s Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, Marwa said:
“This theme underscores the evolving dynamic of the global drug landscape. It acknowledges that while old battlegrounds remain, new synthetic threats, sophisticated trafficking networks, and digital illicit markets have emerged, demanding that we counter them with proactive, technology-driven, and highly innovative responses.”
He noted that the agency has modernised its operations while strengthening preventive measures through its flagship War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.
“At the NDLEA, we have long recognized that old strategies cannot solve new problems. Under the continuous support of the Federal Government and our diverse stakeholders, we have heavily modernized our operations and balanced our enforcement capabilities with aggressive social advocacy.”
“Our War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative remains our primary vehicle for preventive action, and it has been refitted to address these new challenges by leveraging data, community intelligence, and innovative public enlightenment tools to protect our youth from falling victim to illicit substances,” he said.
Weeklong Activities for World Drug Day
Marwa announced that activities marking the 2026 World Drug Day would run from June 19 to June 26, beginning with a press conference and a special Juma’at service at the National Mosque, Abuja.
Other activities include a Walk Against Drugs in collaboration with Baze University, Nile University, and the MTN Foundation; a thanksgiving church service; a national essay competition for students; an NGO Day; and sensitisation campaigns targeting out-of-school youths across the Federal Capital Territory’s Area Councils.
The weeklong programme will culminate in a grand finale at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
‘We Are Liquidating Their Financial Empires’
Marwa said the agency’s operational achievements in recent years demonstrate its preparedness to confront both traditional and emerging threats posed by the illicit drug trade.
“Our flagship WADA programme, launched five years ago on World Drug Day 2021, has matured into a formidable ‘Whole-of-Society Approach.’ It has successfully bridged the gap between law enforcement and the citizenry, turning ordinary Nigerians into active stakeholders in the war against drug abuse,” he stated.
Highlighting the agency’s enforcement strategy, the NDLEA boss said the offensive against drug cartels remains uncompromising.
“Our ‘Offensive Action’ against drug cartels, launched in January 2021, has maintained its relentless momentum. We have continued to dismantle complex syndicates, leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of major drug barons.”
“We are not just arresting traffickers; we are liquidating their financial empires. Through the civil action in rem instrumentalities, assets reasonably suspected to be proceeds of drug crimes are aggressively targeted and forfeited to the Federal Government, effectively cutting off the lifeblood of these criminal networks,” he added.
Marwa expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and commended the contributions of state governments, international partners, and local security agencies, including the UNODC, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA), and other strategic collaborators.
He also praised the media for its role in public awareness and advocacy.
“The strategic victories we record daily would mean very little without your consistency in educating the public,” he said.
UNODC Calls for Collective Action
In his remarks, UNODC Country Representative Cheikh Ousmane Toure, represented by Deputy Country Representative Danielo Campisi, stressed that the global drug challenge continues to evolve and requires coordinated action from all stakeholders.
“Nigeria stands at a critical point where it must address long-standing challenges while adapting to new realities,” he said.
“No single institution can address these challenges alone. Progress depends on partnership, shared responsibility, and sustained action; the problem persists, but it is not insurmountable; the challenges are evolving, but so are our solutions, and our response must be united, informed, and forward-looking.”
Campisi reaffirmed the UNODC’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s anti-drug efforts through evidence-based and people-centred approaches.
“As we commemorate World Drug Day, UNODC reaffirms its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts through evidence, innovation, human-centred approaches, and international cooperation. Together, we can strengthen our collective response to the world drug problem, addressing persistent issues, responding to new challenges, and advancing solutions that protect people and communities,” he said.