…REWARDS 220 OFFICERS, COMMENDS PERSONNEL FOR SUSTAINING DRUG WAR MOMENTUM UNDER TINUBU
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has praised the agency’s officers and men for their commitment to intensifying Nigeria’s fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Marwa gave the commendation on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, during a ceremony where he presented commendation letters and awards to 220 outstanding personnel and decorated 15 senior officers with new ranks.
He said the agency’s performance in the past 30 months reflected the dedication and professionalism of its workforce, noting that their efforts have led to 45,853 arrests, the seizure of over 8.5 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs, and the conviction of 9,263 offenders.
Within the same period, the NDLEA also counselled and rehabilitated 26,613 drug users across its treatment facilities nationwide and conducted 9,848 War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation programmes in schools, workplaces, markets, motor parks, worship centres, and communities.
“Today, we specifically recognize those who have gone above and beyond. We celebrate those who, despite immense danger and relentless temptation, have chosen integrity, selflessness, and unwavering adherence to our mandate,” Marwa said.
He emphasized that the gains recorded under President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda were the result of hard work and sacrifice by the agency’s officers.
Describing the drug challenge as “monumental,” Marwa warned that substance abuse and trafficking continue to threaten Nigeria’s social fabric, economic stability, and national security by fueling crime, corruption, and terrorism.
“Every kilogram of cocaine intercepted, every clandestine laboratory dismantled, and every major drug kingpin apprehended delivers a critical blow to criminal networks,” he said.
The NDLEA boss said the agency’s reward system was designed to sustain high morale, motivate personnel, and uphold core values such as integrity, courage, and loyalty.
“Our faith in the reward system has been proven right. Over the past four and a half years, we have seen a transformation in both the individual and collective ethos of our workforce,” he added.
Marwa also expressed gratitude to local and international partners for their continued support, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), U.S. INL, UK Border Force, the French and German governments, as well as the National Assembly Committees on Narcotic Drugs.
He thanked the Minister of Justice, the Judiciary, and particularly President Tinubu, whose administration, he said, has shown unwavering support for the NDLEA’s reforms and operations.
“We must also thank Nigerians for embracing our reforms and standing by us in our mission to make the country drug-free,” Marwa concluded.
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