Nigeria to leverage innovative interventions in tackling drug scourge -Tinubu

…Commends NDLEA’s leadership, officers’ courage and professionalism

…As Marwa says  5.3m kilograms of drugs worth N1.5trillion seized in 18 months

…Ikpeamachi of FGC, Enugu gets N500,000 and trophy and Aliyu of FGC Yola gets N300,000

President Bola Tinubu has affirmed that Nigeria will remain unwavering in its commitment to eliminating substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking through evidence-based, innovative interventions. The President gave this assurance at the grand finale of events marking the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The declaration comes as law enforcement intensified its crackdowns, resulting in 29,262 arrests, the conviction of 5,225 offenders, and the seizure of 5,305,484.88 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs valued at over ₦1.5 trillion within the past 18 months.

Federal government targets illicit supply chains with technology

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, who represented the President, emphasised that the evolving nature of the global drug problem demands constant vigilance, adaptability, and collective action. Reflecting on this year’s theme, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” he noted that drug abuse disrupts families, schools, workplaces, and overall national security.

To counteract these threats, the federal government is deploying stricter border controls, advanced surveillance, and enhanced intelligence-gathering methods. These proactive measures aim to place National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives ahead of traffickers. Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, the administration is also expanding access to education, skills development, and employment to address the socio-economic vulnerabilities that drive individuals toward substance abuse.

Intelligence operations dismantle transnational drug networks

President Tinubu stated that science, technology, and reliable data have become indispensable tools to identify emerging trends early and evaluate strategic decisions. Consequently, the administration is prioritizing the strengthening of forensic laboratories and scientific research to enhance the detection of precursor chemicals and synthetic threats. He also commended the leadership of NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) for dismantling organized drug cartels, including the network behind Nigeria’s largest methamphetamine laboratory.

Highlighting recent enforcement successes, NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa revealed that the agency has broken the spine of major trafficking networks by arresting no fewer than 234 drug barons over the past five years. In a notable cross-border operation, the NDLEA collaborated with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA) and law enforcement authorities from Greece, France, and Switzerland to dismantle the notorious Amadi Simon drug cartel.

Demand reduction initiatives scale up across communities

The NDLEA also neutralized a cross-continental methamphetamine syndicate, arresting a 63-year-old drug baron, Innocent Anochili, alongside three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian accomplices. This breakthrough was closely followed by the discovery of an industrial-scale, clandestine methamphetamine laboratory hidden in the forest of Tapa village, located in the Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Recognising that enforcement alone cannot solve the crisis, the NDLEA has aggressively expanded its Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) initiatives. Through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, the agency conducted 6,645 prevention and sensitization programmes across schools, workplaces, and correctional facilities, reaching nearly five million Nigerians. Additionally, the agency counselled, treated, and rehabilitated 13,508 drug users across its 31 rehabilitation centres nationwide during the same 18-month period.

Stakeholders rally collective support for institutional reforms

The agency is also driving Africa’s first Alternative Development Programme, a strategic initiative aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda. This scheme provides sustainable livelihoods for illicit cannabis growers by helping them transition to cultivating legitimate crops such as cassava, maize, cocoa, and cowpeas.

University of Ibadan Department of Pharmaceuticals and Industrial Pharmacy Professor Oluwatoyin Odeku, who delivered the guest lecture, noted that institutional revitalization since 2021 has proved that the drug war is winnable. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Representative Chiekh Touré, represented by Dr Akanidomo Ibanga, commended the federal government for balancing supply reduction with evidence-based, human-rights-driven demand reduction.

The event concluded with an inter-secondary school essay competition award ceremony. Federal Government College Enugu student Ikpeamachi Jennifer secured the first prize of ₦500,000, while General Murtala Muhammed College Yola student Aliyu Kama and Mimshak Academy student Chiagoziem Ikechukwu won the second and third prizes of ₦300,000 and ₦200,000, respectively.

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