The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has directed all field commanders to intensify efforts to dismantle drug cartels nationwide, making it a key operational priority for 2026.
Marwa issued the directive during NDLEA’s annual review and strategic planning meeting at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja. The gathering brought together senior management, zonal commanders, state and Federal Capital Territory commanders, as well as leaders of seaports, international airports, the Marine Unit, and heads of the Strike Force and Special Operations Units.
Outlining the Agency’s focus for the year, Marwa said NDLEA is entering 2026 on a solid footing, building on record achievements in recent years. He described the year as a period of consolidation, with renewed emphasis on Drug Supply Reduction (DSR) and Drug Demand Reduction (DDR).
He stressed that the Agency must remain proactive in dismantling the financial networks that sustain drug trafficking organizations, while also maintaining sustained advocacy and sensitization against substance abuse in communities nationwide.
Marwa emphasized that all commands must strictly follow the 2026 strategic work plan, underscoring that professionalism, discipline, and zero tolerance for compromise remain non-negotiable.
Reflecting on his five-year tenure, he credited the progress recorded to the dedication of officers across the country, noting that the Federal Government’s decision to extend his tenure reflects measurable impacts through arrests, seizures, and successful prosecutions.
Commanders were urged to prioritize intelligence gathering, surveillance, and thorough operational planning, and to seek reinforcement when necessary to avoid exposing personnel to unnecessary risks.
Marwa also called for the expansion of advocacy and sensitization programs, particularly targeting schools, communities, and vulnerable groups, stressing that drug abuse prevention must be pursued with equal intensity as enforcement.
He directed that State Drug Control Committees be fully activated in all states and extended to local government and ward levels, insisting that no state should operate without a functional committee in 2026.
Reassuring the public, Marwa reaffirmed NDLEA’s commitment to protecting Nigerian youths and families from illicit drugs and warned drug cartels that their operations would not be tolerated anywhere in the country.
He further urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and support the Agency by providing credible and timely information, emphasizing that the fight against drug abuse and trafficking requires a collective national effort.
