Tinubu Reaffirms Drive To End Drug Abuse As NDLEA Intercepts ₦1.5 Trillion Worth Of Illicit Drugs

According to Ireporter Online, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s firm commitment to combating substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria, emphasizing the adoption of innovative and evidence-based strategies to safeguard citizens and dismantle criminal drug networks.

The President made the pledge on June 26 in Abuja during the grand finale of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, where he was represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

Speaking on the theme, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” Tinubu noted that the evolving nature of drug trafficking requires continuous vigilance, stronger inter-agency collaboration, and modern enforcement approaches. He warned that the consequences of illicit drugs extend beyond users, disrupting families, weakening institutions, and posing serious threats to national security.

Reaffirming his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the President stated that government initiatives are focused on expanding access to education, promoting skills development, encouraging entrepreneurship, and creating job opportunities aimed at reducing vulnerability to substance abuse and criminal recruitment. He also stressed the need for stronger border controls, improved surveillance at ports and airports, enhanced intelligence gathering, and deeper international cooperation to curb drug supply.

Tinubu further highlighted the importance of science, technology, and data in tackling emerging drug trends, calling for strengthened forensic and research capacities to identify new substances and precursor chemicals. He commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and its Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), for their sustained efforts in disrupting drug cartels, increasing seizures, arrests, convictions, and asset forfeitures, as well as expanding rehabilitation programmes across the country.

The President also urged collective responsibility in the fight against drug abuse, calling on parents, religious leaders, traditional rulers, educators, the media, and the private sector to support prevention and rehabilitation efforts.

Earlier at the event, NDLEA Chairman Marwa disclosed that the agency, through intelligence-led operations and international collaboration with agencies such as the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and authorities in Greece, France, and Switzerland, had dismantled major drug syndicates, including the Amadi Simon cartel. He also revealed arrests of high-profile traffickers, including foreign nationals involved in methamphetamine production, and the discovery of clandestine drug laboratories in several states.

Marwa further reported that in the last five years, the NDLEA arrested 234 major drug barons, made 29,262 arrests in the past 18 months, and seized over 5.3 million kilograms of illicit drugs valued at more than ₦1.5 trillion, alongside securing 5,225 convictions. He added that the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse campaign has conducted thousands of sensitisation programmes nationwide, reaching millions of Nigerians, while thousands of drug users have received counselling and rehabilitation.

He noted that the agency is expanding its use of technology, advanced analytics, and forensic tools to detect emerging drug threats, while also promoting alternative livelihood programmes to encourage farmers to shift from illicit cannabis cultivation to legal agricultural activities.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and other stakeholders commended Nigeria’s balanced approach, combining enforcement with prevention, treatment, and human rights considerations, describing recent progress as significant in the fight against drug abuse.