The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has called on Nigerians to take full ownership of the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, made the appeal during a joint press conference with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, on Wednesday in Abuja to commemorate the 2025 World Drug Day.
The 2025 theme is “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.”
Marwa emphasized the need for state governments to play a more active role in curbing drug abuse, stressing that protecting citizens from harmful substances is a collective responsibility—not one that rests on NDLEA alone.
READ ALSO: NDLEA intercepts drug traffickers at three airports
“It is a collective duty, one that demands the involvement of all, including the general public,” he said.
He added that the agency would intensify its War Against Drug Abuse campaign across families, schools, workplaces, communities, and places of worship.
Marwa also noted progress in the agency’s enforcement efforts, including increased arrests, convictions, and seizures.
He highlighted the integration of body cameras in operations and the commissioning of facilities in Adamawa, Kano, and upcoming projects in Abuja and Lagos.
UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Toure, represented by Deputy Head Danilo Campisi, praised Marwa’s efforts and urged state governments to support NDLEA’s initiatives.
“We must involve the sub-nationals… We will not make significant progress if interventions continue to be centralised,” Campisi said.
He added that the UNODC is working closely with Nigeria to boost border management, intelligence sharing, forensic capacity, and regional cooperation against transnational organized crime.
“We stand in solidarity with the Nigerian government, civil society, and communities in the fight to dismantle criminal chains, prevent addiction, and restore dignity through recovery,” Toure stated.
NAN
