The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has officially moved to its new headquarters in the Jahi area of Abuja.
This new facility is being developed in phases, with the first phase recently completed.
The relocation was marked by a brief ceremony on Wednesday, which included an interdenominational service. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), explained that the move is part of a larger transformation to make the agency more modern and effective in its fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
“I’m glad we have finally moved in to occupy this facility after initial budgetary constraints,” Marwa said. “Even though this is the first phase, we are hopeful that we will complete the process with next year’s budget.”
The new headquarters will provide more space for the growing agency, which had outgrown its former location in Gimbiya, Garki. Marwa said the old office could no longer accommodate the increasing number of officers, which led to the decision to move to the new facility even though it is not fully completed.
“We needed the space, and it was crucial to move in before the end of 2024,” he explained. “This new headquarters will help consolidate our operations for better coordination and efficiency.”
While the Gimbiya office will remain an annex, Marwa expressed his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his support. He also thanked international and local partners for their continued encouragement in the fight against drug abuse.
“The support we are getting is not just to appreciate our efforts but to encourage us to do more,” Marwa added.
The Secretary of the Agency, Shadrach Haruna, praised Marwa for his leadership and the progress made since he took over in 2021. “Under his leadership, NDLEA has grown in professionalism, capability, and capacity,” Haruna said.
