The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has declared that Nigeria is no longer a permissive ground for international drug cartels.
UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Ousmane Toure, made this known in Abuja on Monday during the handover of newly equipped audiovisual interview rooms to the NDLEA, citing a surge in arrests, seizures, and convictions recorded by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over the past five years.
The anti-narcotics agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement following the ceremony, said UNODC’s assertion underscores growing international confidence in Nigeria’s intensified crackdown on transnational drug networks.
The facilities, funded by the United States through its International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (US-INL), are designed to strengthen investigative processes and improve prosecutorial outcomes.
Toure warned that transnational drug trafficking remains one of the most destabilizing global threats, fueling corruption, violence, and exploitation. He noted that Nigeria’s strategic position has historically made it both a target and transit hub for criminal networks spanning Latin America, Asia, and Africa, but emphasized that recent enforcement gains are reversing that narrative.
He commended the leadership of NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Mohamed Buba Marwa, highlighting significant progress since 2021, including strengthened enforcement operations, increased major drug seizures, and expanded prevention and treatment initiatives. According to him, these efforts have sent a clear message that Nigeria is no longer an easy operating environment for drug cartels.
In his remarks, Marwa expressed appreciation to the US government and UNODC for their continued support, stressing that the investment goes beyond infrastructure to reinforce transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights in law enforcement. He described the new facilities as a critical step in modernizing investigative standards and ensuring professionalism in interrogations.
Maria further noted that the NDLEA is undergoing advanced digital transformation, and the integration of state-of-the-art interview rooms represents a convergence of technology and the rule of law. He emphasized that the initiative strengthens institutional integrity and aligns Nigeria with global best practices in criminal justice.
The ceremony, attended by senior officials including US-INL Deputy Director Douglas Grane and top NDLEA management, signals deepening international collaboration.
NDLEA reaffirmed its commitment to translating the partnership into measurable results, enhancing operational capacity, and sustaining momentum in the fight against drug trafficking.
