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The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), has set out ambitious operational targets for 2026, urging commanders nationwide to intensify efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks.
The agency disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Bafemi.
According to the statement, Marwa made the remarks while addressing senior management staff, zonal commanders, and heads of the 36 state commands and the Federal Capital Territory during the NDLEA’s annual review and planning meeting at its national headquarters in Abuja. He described 2026 as a year of “unprecedented consolidation” in the fight against illicit drugs.
Marwa noted that the agency had begun the year on a strong footing, building on record-breaking achievements from previous years. He said the focus in 2026 would centre on consolidating gains in Drug Supply Reduction and Drug Demand Reduction.
Although the agency recorded significant successes in the previous year, he stressed that complacency was not an option. He said the NDLEA’s objectives for 2026 include disrupting the financial networks of drug cartels and ensuring that communities across Nigeria are adequately sensitised against substance abuse.
During the session, Marwa directed all commands to ensure effective implementation of the 2026 strategic work plan. Reflecting on his time in office, he said the progress recorded so far resulted from collective effort and dedication.
He noted that although the agency had completed five years of reforms and achievements, there was a need to consolidate existing gains and pursue even greater results rather than rely on past successes.
Marwa attributed the renewal of his tenure by the President to the dedication of NDLEA officers in the field, saying their work had earned the agency increased respect locally and internationally.
He praised officers for their seizures, arrests, and convictions, noting that these tangible results formed the basis of public trust and confidence in the agency. He commended their diligence, commitment, and hard work.
The NDLEA boss also issued firm operational guidelines, stressing that discipline, professionalism, and zero tolerance for compromise would remain non-negotiable in 2026. He said commanders must contribute actively to setting clear targets and ensure strict adherence to professional standards.
Marwa cautioned officers against taking unnecessary risks, advising them to prioritise proper surveillance, planning, and coordination before operations, and to seek reinforcement when required to avoid preventable casualties.
He further directed that advocacy and sensitisation campaigns in schools and communities should be intensified, while State Drug Control Committees must be strengthened and made functional across all states, extending down to local government and ward levels.
Reiterating the agency’s resolve, Marwa said there would be no room for drug traffickers to operate in 2026. He assured Nigerian families and young people of the NDLEA’s commitment to protecting them from the dangers of illicit drugs.
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide useful information, emphasising that the fight against drug abuse and trafficking is a shared responsibility.
