A new era in Nigeria’s war against Illicit drugs

BY OLUFEMI ADUWO

Since 2021, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has undergone a radical transformation, emerging as an indomitable force in Nigeria’s war against illicit narcotics. Under the astute stewardship of its current chairman Brigadier Buba Marwa(rtd), the agency has attained unprecedented milestones, dismantling entrenched drug syndicates, securing high-profile convictions and confiscating narcotics worth billions of naira. These landmark achievements underscore Nigeria’s unequivocal commitment to eradicating drug trafficking and abuse, drawing commendation from both domestic and international bodies, including the United Nations.

The NDLEA’s resurgence is not fortuitous but the product of strategic leadership, institutional discipline and robust enforcement mechanisms. The war on drugs necessitates unwavering continuity and doctrinal consistency. Given the depth of the institutional reforms embedded within the agency’s framework, the extension of the incumbent leadership is not merely expedient but imperative. Any disruption at this juncture could precipitate a retrogression, undermining years of painstaking advancements.

The agency’s reinvigoration is exemplified by its unprecedented prosecutorial successes. The recent sentencing of a cartel kingpin to 95 years’ imprisonment, accompanied by the forfeiture of illicitly acquired assets, marks a paradigm shift in accountability. Historically, drug barons exploited systemic vulnerabilities to evade justice; however, under the current dispensation, over 40,000 arrests and more than 10,000 successful prosecutions have debilitated major trafficking networks, significantly curtailing narcotics proliferation.

At the core of this success is the transition from reactive enforcement to proactive, intelligence-led operations. Enhanced surveillance capabilities, forensic advancements, and inter-agency cooperation have fortified operational efficiency. Officers now undergo rigorous training in counter-narcotics strategies, intelligence gathering, and forensic science through collaborations with international institutions such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and INTERPOL.

One of NDLEA’s most defining moments was its unrelenting pursuit of justice in the case of Abba Kyari, a once-revered top police officer. For the first time in Nigeria’s history, a high-ranking security official was exposed and is currently being prosecuted for drug-related offences, demonstrating that no individual, regardless of status, is above the law. The agency’s ability to hold such a powerful figure accountable is a testament to its unwavering commitment to integrity and its determination to root out corruption from law enforcement. Kudos to the incorruptible leadership of NDLEA for setting this unprecedented example and reinforcing the message that the fight against drug cartels will spare no one complicit in narcotics trafficking.

This synergy has reinforced Nigeria’s stature as a vanguard in transnational drug enforcement. The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, lauded the NDLEA’s professionalism during her 2024 visit, while the agency’s strategies were showcased at the CRIMJUST annual summit as a benchmark for other African nations. These commendations substantiate the necessity of maintaining leadership continuity to sustain momentum.

Another pivotal reform has been the recalibration of personnel welfare. Before 2021, inadequate remuneration and substandard working conditions engendered operational lethargy and susceptibility to compromise. The present administration has instituted enhanced salaries, comprehensive insurance cover, and structured professional development programmes, cultivating a disciplined and highly motivated workforce. The correlation between personnel welfare and operational efficacy is irrefutable—well-incentivised officers execute high-stakes operations with heightened precision and resolve.

Equally commendable is the recalibration of Nigeria’s drug rehabilitation strategy. Historically, drug dependency was met with punitive rather than rehabilitative measures. Recognising this deficiency, the NDLEA has expanded rehabilitation centres, integrating medical, psychological, and vocational interventions into a holistic drug control strategy. Nonetheless, as substance abuse escalates, further investment in rehabilitative infrastructure is imperative.

Despite these commendable strides, formidable challenges persist. Nigeria’s porous borders remain a conduit for illicit drug influxes. Mitigating this threat necessitates sophisticated detection technologies, strategic personnel deployment, and reinforced bilateral and multilateral engagements with contiguous states to counter transnational trafficking.

Legislative recalibration is equally indispensable. While recent high-profile convictions signify progress, extant statutory provisions require fortification to impose more stringent custodial and pecuniary penalties on narcotics offenders. Asset forfeiture jurisprudence must be expanded to ensure the comprehensive dismantling of cartels’ financial architectures. Moreover, public enlightenment remains a cornerstone of sustainable drug control. Prevention is as pivotal as enforcement. Expanding drug education initiatives within schools, universities, and grassroots communities will attenuate the allure of illicit drug commerce while fostering viable economic alternatives for at-risk demographics.

Additionally, international cooperation must be deepened. Narcotics trafficking is an inherently transnational phenomenon, necessitating a concerted global response. Reinforcing ties with international law enforcement agencies, augmenting participation in multinational task forces, and advocating for stringent global controls on synthetic narcotics will further bolster Nigeria’s counter-narcotics capability. Given the magnitude of progress recorded, any alteration in NDLEA’s leadership at this juncture would be legally imprudent and operationally deleterious. The war on drugs is a generational struggle necessitating long-term strategic vision and uninterrupted execution. The present leadership has laid an institutional foundation that demands consolidation and expansion.

Notably, before his appointment, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.) chaired the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse (2018–2020). The policy blueprint formulated under his stewardship has been instrumental in NDLEA’s ongoing reforms. Ensuring its full implementation is a matter of national security. Furthermore, unlike many jurisdictions where anti-narcotics chiefs have been implicated in egregious corruption, Brigadier Marwa’s tenure remains untainted by allegations of bribery or collusion with drug barons. This institutional integrity must be safeguarded.

The history of compromised drug enforcement agencies globally underscores this imperative. Mexico’s former Secretary of Public Security, Genaro García Luna, was convicted in 2023 for accepting cartel bribes. In the Philippines, high-ranking police officials were implicated in running narcotics syndicates under the pretext of President Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. The Miami River Cops scandal of the 1980s saw law enforcement officers in the United States facilitating cocaine smuggling. West Africa, particularly Guinea-Bissau, has long been plagued by narco-politics, earning the ignominious label of a ‘narco-state.’

These cautionary precedents reinforce the necessity of meticulous scrutiny in appointing the NDLEA chairman. The incumbent’s unimpeachable record underscores the urgency of sustaining his leadership. Any deviation from this trajectory risks institutional destabilisation, emboldening traffickers, and eroding hard-won gains. The NDLEA has demonstrated that, under competent leadership, drug cartels can be systematically dismantled, traffickers prosecuted, and communities liberated from the scourge of narcotics. However, sustained vigilance is imperative. The war on drugs is far from over. Institutional reforms must be deepened, operational strategies recalibrated, and statutory frameworks reinforced.

For Nigeria to retain its pre-eminence in African drug enforcement, stability at the helm of the NDLEA is paramount. The incumbent leadership has not only repositioned the agency but has also set an unprecedented benchmark in global counter-narcotics enforcement. There remains, however, significant ground to cover. Disrupting this trajectory at a critical juncture would be tantamount to strategic myopia. The imperative is clear: continuity, consolidation, and unwavering resolve in the fight against illicit drugs.

Olufemi Aduwo, the permanent representative of CCDI to the United Nations, can be contacted via [email protected]