Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Marwa (Retd), has called on the international community to unite in dismantling transnational drug cartels that threaten global peace, security, and development.
The anti-narcotics agency’s spokesman Femi Babafemi, disclosed on Tuesday that Marwa made the call while speaking at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Plenary Session of the Third Committee in New York on Monday, 13 October 2025.
The NDLEA chief emphasized that the world must no longer allow itself to be “held hostage” by criminal drug networks.
“Given the transnational nature of the drug problem, Nigeria prioritizes international cooperation and intelligence sharing,” Marwa stated, adding that Nigeria has signed memoranda of understanding with several countries and maintains strong partnerships with organizations such as the UNODC, EU, DEA, INL, NCA, and BKA, “collaborations that have led to significant seizures, arrests of major traffickers, and successful prosecutions — all while upholding human rights.”
Marwa, while commending the session’s theme, which recognized the global drug problem as a multidimensional challenge requiring coordinated international action, highlighted Nigeria’s evidence-based strategies to address both drug supply and demand.
According to him, Nigeria has intensified efforts to curb money laundering from drug proceeds while expanding treatment and rehabilitation options for those affected by substance use. These include opioid substitution therapy, safer needle exchange programmes, and professional counselling through the NDLEA’s 24-hour toll-free call centre, which offers services in major Nigerian languages.
He further noted that cannabis remains the most commonly abused substance in Nigeria, and that the NDLEA’s Alternative Development Programme is helping communities transition from illicit cannabis cultivation to legitimate, sustainable livelihoods that also promote food security and environmental conservation.
Marwa also drew attention to the Agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, which mobilizes all sectors of society to strengthen collective responsibility in combating drug abuse.
On emerging threats, the NDLEA boss said Nigeria is taking decisive measures against new psychoactive substances and online trafficking via the Dark Web, as well as intensifying efforts to prevent the diversion of precursor chemicals and dismantle clandestine methamphetamine laboratories.
“The effective implementation of our National Drug Control Master Plan has enhanced stakeholder collaboration and produced measurable results. The fight against drug trafficking and abuse is not just a national priority but a shared global responsibility”, he said.
