The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), has issued a fresh warning to drug barons and trafficking cartels.
This came as he pledged that his second term would see an even stronger crackdown on illicit drug networks across the country.
Marwa, who was reappointed by President Bola Tinubu for another five-year term on Friday, November 14, 2025, delivered the warning to jubilant management staff and operatives gathered at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja shortly after the presidential announcement.
Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy at the NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja, signed the announcement on Saturday, November 15, 2025.
Marwa told the ecstatic throng that his return means a renewed and intensified offensive: “This second tenure is going to be hell and bleak for them. Drugs shall not pass in or out of or within Nigeria.”
Marwa claimed he was surprised by the welcome. “First of all, what a surprise; I did not expect to come back from Jumat service to meet these great felicitations, dancing and singing by our personnel. Thank you very much.”
He expressed gratitude to God, the President, and the agency’s workforce, adding, “We thank the President and Commander-in-Chief for the special recognition of our collective efforts and the new mandate for us to continue with the war against drug abuse and trafficking. I thank the management, officers, men, and women of the agency who continue to provide service to the nation 24/7, in spite of the risks that you all face.”
Marwa also praised the consistent assistance of top government authorities and international partners.
He said, “We appreciate the unflinching support by the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun… and all our local and international partners, with whom we have continued to collaborate towards ridding Nigeria of illicit substances.”
He also warned drug traffickers to stop their illicit trade in the country.
He said, “This is the right time for them to drop that criminal business and face something legitimate.”
He referenced the NDLEA’s Alternative Development Unit, designed to help transition offenders into legal livelihoods, but made it clear that defiance will carry dire consequences.
“Those who refuse to do that can be sure that the NDLEA is up and able on its task of law enforcement.
“You will be arrested, the drugs will be seized, and your assets will be confiscated. So, when you come out from jail, there will be nothing left,” he added.
Emphasizing the agency’s mandate, he recalled his first day in office: “I said very clearly that NDLEA will be feared by the drug cartels. And that’s just the beginning.”
Marwa also announced an increase in the agency’s rehabilitation capacity as part of overall drug-demand reduction initiatives.
“I’ll take the opportunity again to announce the rededication of our efforts towards prevention, sensitization, counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation of our children in our 30 rehabilitation centers,” he said.
He stated that seven new treatment centers will be built under the 2025 budget, ensuring that “every state will have its own rehab center.”
Marwa praised the partnership with the Ministers of Health and Education, highlighting the approval of “drug tests for students on admission into tertiary institutions.”
“With this, we can catch them young before they get into the addiction stage,” he said, offering prayers for the president, supporters, and all NDLEA personnel.
