Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has cautioned drug barons, traffickers and their cartels to abandon illicit operations or face an even harsher clampdown during his second term.
Marwa was reappointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for another five-year term on Friday, 14 November 2025. Addressing jubilant management staff, officers and personnel who gathered at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja following the announcement, he declared that his new tenure “will be hell and bleak” for anyone who refuses to leave the drug trade.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi.
Marwa expressed gratitude to the president for acknowledging the agency’s ongoing work against substance abuse and drug trafficking.
“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. We would like to thank the almighty God, because always the glory has to go to Him for everything.
“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”, he stated.
He also acknowledged the support of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, while extending appreciation to “all our local and international partners, with whom we have continued to collaborate towards ridding Nigeria of illicit substances.”
Addressing drug cartels directly, Marwa said: “First, this word must go to the cartels. The cartels have not seen anything yet. I promise them this second tenure is going to be hell and bleak for them. Drugs shall not pass, in or out or within Nigeria.” He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to President Tinubu’s mandate, noting that “in line with our Act, we will continue to do our level best. I remember in my inaugural speech, the day I took over, and I said very clearly that NDLEA will be feared by the drug cartels. And that’s just the beginning.”
He concluded with an appeal to individuals involved in illegal drug trafficking, saying this was the right moment to abandon the trade and embrace legitimate ventures.
