Tag: Buba Marwa

’15 million Nigerians are on drugs’ – Marwa

Aminu Imam

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (rtd.), yesterday raised the alarm that about 15 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 are involved in the intake of illicit drugs. While expressing concern that the staggering statistic is nearly three times the global average, Marwa, who described the figure as unacceptable, revealed that one in every seven Nigerians in the age bracket consumes drugs. Marwa, who made the disclosure yesterday, during a courtesy visit with his entourage to Ondo…

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Tinubu reappoints Marwa as NDLEA Chairman for another 5yr term

Aminu Imam
Marwa reappointed

President Bola Tinubu has approved the reappointment of Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) for another five-year term. The State House confirmed the development yesterday, extending Marwa’s leadership of the NDLEA until 2031.  The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the reappointment in a statement dated November 14, 2025, highlighting Marwa’s extensive military and administrative experience. Recall that Former President Muhammadu Buhari first appointed him in January 2021. Before his appointment…

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S’Arabia free 3 Nigerian pilgrims implicated for drug trafficking

Aminu Imam
S'Arabia frees 3 Nigerians

Three Nigerian pilgrims detained for alleged drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia have been released. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), announced this at a presser yesterday. The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, explained that their release followed an engagement between the NDLEA and the Saudi government. He said the three pilgrims would soon arrive in the country. “Saudi Arabia authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims who were detained in Jeddah since last month following their arrest over alleged drug trafficking. The 3 Nigerians who were freed…

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‘Economic hardship fuels drug abuse in Nigeria’, as NDLEA vows crackdown

Aminu Imam
NDLEA vows crackdown

The worsening economic situation in Nigeria is driving more youths into drug abuse, prompting a renewed crackdown by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA). According to a published report,  in Enugu State, many young people, unable to sustain themselves in urban areas, have returned to their villages, only to find life equally challenging. Frustration has led many to seek solace in drugs and alcohol, worsening an already growing crisis. The Enugu State government has announced plans to establish NDLEA operational bases in all 17 local government areas to combat…

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Drug War: Nigeria to host Heads of African drug law enforcement agencies in 2023

Aminu Imam

Nigeria has been elected to host the next conference of Heads of Drug Law Enforcement Agencies Africa, (HONLEA), in 2023. This was the unanimous decision of the regional network at the close of its 2022 annual meeting in Nairobi, Kenya at the weekend. The move by other heads of anti-narcotics agencies in Africa to have Nigeria host the 2023 conference followed the countrys good relationship with others on the continent and NDLEAs exemplary performance in the renewed fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. Meanwhile, the Chairman and Chief…

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Drug barons assassinating NDLEA operatives – Marwa

Aminu Imam

Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd) on Thursday said drug barons were assassinating operatives of the agency in the renewed fight against drug abuse in the country. Marwa said this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee of Drugs and Narcotics to defend the agencys 2022 budget performance and 2023 proposal. Against this background, he emphasised the need for the urgent provision of barracks for operatives of the agency. He said with the approval of the President, the NDLEA is…

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Nigeria worlds highest cannabis consumer, with over 10.6 million users – NDLEA

Aminu Imam

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has disclosed that Nigeria was the highest consumer of cannabis in the world in 2019, with over 10.6 million users. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), who made the disclosure at the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) 40th Annual Olumide Memorial Lecture in Abuja, explained that the figure is more than the entire population of Portugal or the United Arab Emirates, (UAE). He further stated that worse still, the countrys drug use prevalence of 14.4 percent…

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Marwa seeks drug test for NYSC members

Aminu Imam

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has asked that youth corps members undergo a drug test as they report for their mandatory one-year national service at the various orientation camps across the country as part of drug demand reduction efforts of the anti-narcotic agency. Marwa made the call when he hosted the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Fadah, who led his management team on a courtesy visit to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja…

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2023: ‘All political aspirants should be tested for drugs ahead of elections’, NDLEA Chairman

Aminu Imam

Ahead of the 2023 general election, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), has urged political aspirants going for public offices to come for drug tests. Marwa had written a letter to the Chairman of the All Progressive Congress APC, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, requesting that officials of the agency be given access to conduct drug integrity tests for politicians seeking political offices in the country. The anti-drug agencys boss reiterated the call yesterday while decorating officers who have distinguished themselves in the fight…

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’15 million Nigerians consume illicit drugs’ NDLEA Chairman, Marwa alleges

Aminu Imam

The Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), has said that 15 million Nigerians indulge in the consumption of illicit drugs. Marwa disclosed this during an interactive session with local government council Chairmen in Plateau on Wednesday, in Jos. According to him, As I speak to you, 15 million Nigerians use illicit drugs; one out of seven Nigerians take hard substances”. He decried the surge in the distribution and consumption of illicit substances, adding that one out of seven Nigerians indulged in…

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