By RhemDy News
President Bola Tinubu on Friday reaffirmed Nigeria's unwavering commitment to eliminating the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking through evidence-based, innovative interventions.
The President gave this assurance in Abuja during the grand finale of celebrations, marking the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, Tinubu,
reflecting on this year's theme, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” emphasised that the evolving nature of the global drug problem demands constant vigilance, adaptability, and collective action.
He noted that the consequences of the drug scourge extend far beyond individual users, severely disrupting families, schools, workplaces, and overall national security.
The President stressed that the federal government was confronting these challenges through a well-coordinated, multi-faceted approach.
“My administration remains committed to creating an environment in which young Nigerians can thrive and succeed. Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are expanding access to education, promoting skills development, supporting entrepreneurship, creating employment opportunities and implementing social interventions that address some of the underlying factors that make individuals vulnerable to substance abuse and criminal recruitment.
“At the same time, we recognise that reducing demand must be matched by decisive action to disrupt supply. This requires stronger border management, enhanced surveillance of ports, airports, seaports and land crossings, improved intelligence gathering and closer collaboration among national, regional and international law enforcement agencies. Criminal organizations operate across borders, and our response must be equally coordinated and effective," Tinubu said.
He noted that science, technology and reliable data have become indispensable tools in this effort. “We must continue to strengthen our capacity to collect, analyse and apply data so that emerging trends are identified early, interventions are properly evaluated and strategic decisions are informed by facts.
“As illicit drug markets evolve, our ability to detect and identify drugs and precursor chemicals must evolve as well. Strengthening forensic laboratories, enhancing technological capabilities and supporting scientific research will remain essential if we are to stay ahead of emerging threats.
"Our criminal justice system must continue to receive the support it needs to deal effectively with drug-related crimes. Law enforcement officers, investigators, prosecutors and the courts all have important roles to play in ensuring that criminal organisations are disrupted and offenders are held accountable under the law”, he added.
The President also showered accolades on the NDLEA's Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), the leadership and personnel of the anti-narcotics agency for their relentless crusade against drug cartels.
"I wish to particularly highlight the remarkable strides made by the Agency in terms of increased arrests and seizures, successful convictions, multi-billion-naira forfeitures, extensive rehabilitation and advocacy campaigns, as well as the dismantling of organized drug cartels and trafficking networks, including the one behind the largest methamphetamine laboratory in Nigeria," he said.
Tinubu noted that the achievements stand as a testament to the administration's zero tolerance for organised crime and an unwavering commitment to safeguarding society from the devastating effects of narcotics.
“However, as commendable as these achievements are, government cannot win this battle alone. The complexity and scope of the drug problem demands that every segment of our society plays an active role".
He called on parents and families to provide loving homes, moral guidance, and open communication; urging educational institutions to strengthen drug prevention education and character development, religious and traditional leaders to continue using their influence to discourage substance abuse while supporting those in recovery while calling on the media to raise awareness responsibly and avoid glamorising drug use.
The President further charged the private sector to partner with government through job creation, prevention initiatives, and support for treatment and rehabilitation programmes, adding, "Together, through collective action and shared responsibility, we can protect our youth, strengthen our communities, and secure a healthier and safer future for Nigeria".
He reminded the audience that the world drug problem is a shared challenge requiring a shared response and called on civil society, international partners, and individual citizens to reinforce their commitments to creating safer, healthier, and drug-free societies for future generations.
In his welcome remark, Brig.-Gen. Marwa stated that Nigeria stands in lockstep with the global community, reaffirming the country’s unyielding resolve against one of the most persistent threats to public health, national security, social stability, and human development.
“In the face of these sophisticated threats, the NDLEA has not blinked. We remain resolute. Over the past year, the Agency has recorded monumental operational successes through intelligence-driven enforcement, dismantling seemingly untouchable syndicates and executing unprecedented seizures across our airports, seaports, land borders, and deep in the forests in communities.
“To those who think they can operate with impunity, our recent spectacular operational breakthroughs send an unmistakable message: there is no safe haven," he said.
Marwa added that the NDLEA, in collaboration with the US-DEA, and law enforcement authorities from Greece, France, and Switzerland, has dismantled the notorious Amadi Simon drug cartel through transnational intelligence sharing.
“With same zeal and vigour, we have effectively neutralized a highly sophisticated, cross-continental methamphetamine cartel. This operation led to the historic arrest of a 63-year-old Nigerian drug baron, Innocent Anochili, alongside three Mexican nationals and six other Nigerian accomplices, completely disrupting a major synthetic drug pipeline.
“And closely coming on the heels of this was the discovery of yet another industrial scale clandestine meth laboratory deep in the forest of Tapa village, Ibarapa North LGA, Oyo state, where a Mexican and four others were arrested and their multibillion-naira infrastructure of death shut down and dismantled," he said.
The NDLEA boss noted that the Agency’s achievements are backed by an aggressive, relentless five-year campaign that has fundamentally broken the spine of drug trafficking in the country with the arrest of no fewer than 234 drug barons coordinating the operations of major drug networks dismantled during the period.
He said in the last 18 months alone, the Agency has made a total of 29,262 arrests leading to the seizure of 5,305,484.88 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs valued at over N1.5 trillion and the conviction of 5,225 offenders.
“These numbers represent more than just data; they represent millions of lives saved, billions of naira in criminal wealth confiscated, and a future reclaimed for our youths," the NDLEA's boss said.
While noting that enforcement alone cannot solve the drug problem, Marwa stated that the anti-narcotic agency has aggressively expanded its Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) initiatives.
“Through our War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, we have conducted 6,645 drug use prevention focused sensitization and awareness creation programmes in schools, worship centres, work places, markets, motor parks and communities, and correctional facilities, among others, equipping nearly five million Nigerians with the life skills to resist drug abuse.
"Equally significant is the counselling, treatment and rehabilitation of 13,508 drug users across our 31 rehab centres spread all over the country within the same period.”
In line with this year's focus on innovative responses, Marwa said the agency is strengthening its use of technology, deep-web intelligence gathering, and advanced data analytics to identify emerging drug trends before they hit the streets.
He further disclosed that the agency is radically upgrading its forensic and chemical analysis capabilities to improve the detection of precursor chemicals and new, exotic psychoactive substances.
Marwa also pointed at the first in Africa Alternative Development Programme, a significant game-changing initiative that fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
"Alternative Development is about giving illicit cannabis growers an alternative source of legitimate income through the growing of licit crops like cassava, maize, cowpeas, cocoa etc thereby achieving sustainable livelihoods and economic empowerment," he explained.
He commended President Tinubu for his support and encouragement to the agency and for demonstrating immense political will towards the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
Marwa also hailed the local and international partners; civil society organisations, the media and community leaders for supporting the work of the Agency.
He also commended NDLEA personnel, calling them “the thin green line standing between safety and chaos, working tirelessly day and night to protect our nation.”
Prof Oluwatoyin Odeku of the Department of Pharmaceuticals and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, noted that when NDLEA was re-energised in 2021, many thought the drug war was unwinnable. "Today, the data tells a different story, and we have reasons to celebrate”, she stated.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Representative, Chiekh Touré, represented by Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga commended the Federal Government for its continued commitment to addressing the drug problem through a balanced and coordinated approach.
“At UNODC, we are privileged to support these national efforts by advancing innovative, evidence-based responses that align with global standards and national priorities.”
He reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in this critical endeavor, adding that “we stand ready to continue providing technical expertise, fostering partnerships, and promoting innovative solutions that respond to the realities on the ground.”
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