The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has instructed all field commanders to ramp up their efforts to dismantle drug cartels nationwide, aligning with NDLEA’s operational goals for 2026.
Marwa issued this directive during the annual review and strategic planning meeting held at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja. This gathering included senior management personnel, zonal commanders, and commanders from all 36 states along with the Federal Capital Territory, in addition to those overseeing seaports, international airports, the Marine Unit, and heads of both the Strike Force and Special Operations Units.
In outlining the Agency's focus for 2026, Marwa noted that NDLEA has entered this operational year on a robust foundation, continuing from record milestones achieved in recent years. He characterized the upcoming year as a crucial phase of consolidation, with a heightened emphasis on Drug Supply Reduction (DSR) and Drug Demand Reduction (DDR).
He highlighted that the Agency must remain vigilant and relentless in severing the financial networks that fuel drug trafficking organizations, while also ensuring ongoing awareness and advocacy against substance abuse in communities across the nation.
Marwa emphasized that all divisions must strictly follow the strategic work plan for 2026, asserting that professionalism, discipline, and an uncompromising stance on integrity are essential in NDLEA operations.
Reflecting on his tenure over the past five years, he credited the achievements made thus far to the commitment and teamwork of officers throughout the country. He noted that the Federal Government’s renewed confidence in his leadership was a testament to the tangible impacts seen through arrests, seizures, and successful prosecutions.
He urged commanders to prioritize intelligence gathering, thorough surveillance, and meticulous planning before executing operations, advising them to request additional support when needed to avoid putting personnel at unnecessary risk.
Marwa also advocated for enhancing advocacy and sensitization initiatives, particularly in schools, communities, and among vulnerable populations, stressing that the push for drug abuse prevention must be pursued with as much vigor as enforcement actions.
Additionally, he mandated that State Drug Control Committees be reactivated in every state, extending their presence to local government and ward levels, insisting that no state be without an active committee by 2026.
Reassuring the public, Marwa reiterated NDLEA’s commitment to protecting Nigerian youth and families from the perils of illicit drugs, cautioning drug cartels that there will be no tolerance for their activities throughout the country.
He also encouraged citizens to remain vigilant and to assist the Agency through credible and timely information, emphasizing that combating drug abuse and trafficking is a collective national responsibility.
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