Felix Temitope, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in tackling the drug crisis, which has been identified as a key driver of insecurity across Nigeria.
This assurance was given by the new Country Representative of UNODC in Nigeria, Mr. Cheikh Ousmane Toure, during a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on February 5, 2025.
Mr. Toure highlighted that the drug scourge is at the core of many security challenges plaguing Nigeria’s subnational levels, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crimes. He stressed the need to strengthen NDLEA’s fight against illicit drug trafficking and abuse to address the root causes of these threats. According to him, "it is important to re-engage and re-energize the relationship between UNODC and NDLEA because drug abuse fuels insecurity, and efforts must be made to cascade national-level successes down to the states to curb the growing menace". He commended NDLEA’s efforts and emphasized the need for increased collaboration in areas such as training, intelligence-sharing, and capacity building across West Africa.
In response, Brig. Gen. Marwa expressed gratitude for UNODC’s continued support while outlining the agency’s significant strides in drug law enforcement over the past four years. He stressed the importance of continued international collaboration to sustain progress. To strengthen the anti-drug fight, Marwa highlighted several priority areas requiring urgent support. One of them is the Alternative Development Programme, which is the first of its kind in Africa and aims at providing alternative livelihoods for cannabis growers to discourage illegal cultivation. He explained that offering economic alternatives would reduce the appeal of illicit drug farming and weaken the criminal networks funding insecurity.
He also emphasized the need for a new drug use survey, noting that the last comprehensive national assessment was conducted in 2018. A fresh survey, he said, is essential to identify current drug prevalence, emerging trends, and hotspots, allowing for the development of targeted interventions and refined strategies. Another crucial area is the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP), as the current 2021-2025 plan is set to expire soon. He stated that support is needed to develop an updated and more robust version of the master plan to guide the country’s drug control efforts.
Marwa further underscored the importance of capacity building and training, stating that the effectiveness of any organization depends on its workforce. He called for additional training programs to sharpen the skills of NDLEA officers across Nigeria and West Africa, stressing that more master trainers are needed. Additionally, he requested support for the procurement of handy field drug testing kits, which would improve on-the-spot drug identification for swift law enforcement action. Having the right tools, he explained, would enable quicker interventions, preventing drugs from flooding the streets and fueling criminal activities.
As Nigeria battles escalating security threats, tackling the drug epidemic has become an urgent priority. The UNODC’s pledge to reinforce its partnership with NDLEA signals a renewed global commitment to eradicating illicit drugs, dismantling criminal networks, and restoring peace across the country. With a reinforced anti-drug strategy, Nigeria’s security agencies stand a better chance of breaking the cycle of drug-induced violence, terrorism, and crime, paving the way for a safer society.
