…says its statement only an opinion and not FG approval yet
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has clarified that the remarks made by its Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), on the prospect of exporting cannabis oil, was merely his personal view and not a reflection of the Federal Government’s official position.
Marwa had stated during a workshop organized by the Nigerian Academy of Science in Abuja on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, that the NDLEA was not opposed to the export of cannabis oil to countries that legally demand it, provided it serves as a source of foreign exchange for Nigeria.
He, however, maintained the Agency’s opposition to local consumption, citing existing laws and the country’s high rate of drug abuse.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the Agency emphasized that Marwa’s comments were among the diverse opinions presented by stakeholders at the event themed “Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria.”
Babafemi noted that the workshop discussions should not be interpreted as an endorsement or policy approval by the Federal Government, especially since the NDLEA itself commissioned the ongoing study on cannabis oil being conducted by the Nigerian Academy of Science.
“We can only be further guided on this matter by the final recommendations of NAS, which will eventually be submitted to the Federal Government as part of the inputs that will be used to develop an informed policy on the subject.
“This clarification is needed to avoid misrepresentations and suggestions that the Agency has approved cannabis oil export, a decision that can only be taken by the Federal Government after considering inputs from various stakeholders,” he said.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled two major drug cartels behind six consignments of cocaine in a series of intelligence-led operations that lasted over three weeks across Lagos.
The drugs were concealed in walls of stainless cups, body cream and hair gel containers, leading to the arrest of five suspects and ultimately the arrowhead of the syndicate, Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode, who parades as a businessman and real estate developer, according to Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi.
In a statement, on September 16, this year, Babafemi said, the agency’s operatives at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.40 kilogrammes, which were concealed in walls of cocoa butter body cream containers.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully dismantled two major drug cartels behind six different consignments of cocaine in a series of intelligence-led operations that lasted over three weeks across Lagos.
The drugs were concealed in walls of stainless cups, body cream and hair gel containers, leading to the arrest of five suspects and ultimately the arrowhead of the syndicate, Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode, who parades as a businessman and real estate developer.
Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement on Sunday.
According to the statement, the beginning of the end of the criminal syndicate’s operations began on 16th September 2025, when NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.40 kilograms. They were concealed in the walls of cocoa butter body cream containers. A cargo agent was promptly arrested.
The statement reads, “Further investigations revealed Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode as the mastermind of the shipment, and after weeks of intelligence, it was established that the drug baron had reported a dispute at the Zone 2 headquarters of the Police in Lagos, after which the Agency sought the cooperation of the police to get the suspect into custody.
“During his preliminary interview, Alhaji Hammed Ode admitted ownership of the consignment, which he claimed he bought at over N150 million. He claimed to be a businessman and estate developer following his return from the United Kingdom in 2024. He had lived for over 27 years in many European countries, including Austria, the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Saudi Arabia, before settling in the UK.
“In like manner, five other desperate attempts by another criminal syndicate to export cocaine consignments to the United Kingdom were also thwarted by operatives of the MMIA Strategic Command of NDLEA. The unravelling of the gang started on 26th September, following the seizure of 2.10kg cocaine concealed in the walls of hair cream containers at the export shed of the Lagos airport.”
According to the statement, the apprehension of a cargo agent led to the arrest of the consignor, Smith David Korede, a furniture maker, on Tuesday, 30th September, at his 3 Arowojobe Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos base, where another consignment of 1.40kg cocaine meant for export to the UK was recovered from him.
It reads, “Same day, another consignment of 1.00kg cocaine with a similar mode of concealment going to the UK was also intercepted at the export shed of the airport. The cargo agent arrested in connection with the 1.00kg cocaine also identified Smith David Korede as the consignor, bringing to three the number of seized cocaine consignments linked to the suspect.
“Two other cocaine laden consignments going to the UK were also intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the MMIA on Thursday, 2nd October. Two suspects, Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa, linked to the seizures, were promptly arrested. One of the consignments contains crayfish, and 12 pieces of stainless cups used to conceal 1.00kg of cocaine, while the second consignment also contains crayfish, and 36 containers of hair cream used to conceal 1.60kg of cocaine.”
Babafemi said the bid by another criminal gang to smuggle into Lagos 6.3 kilograms of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis concealed in a bed sheet and hibiscus flower from Thailand, was equally thwarted by NDLEA operatives attached to some courier companies.
He added that while a joint operation between NDLEA officers and Customs Service personnel at a checkpoint along Danbatta-Daura road, Kano, on Thursday, 2nd October, led to the arrest of 38-year-old Sa’adu Ali and seizure of 290,450 pills of tramadol 250mg and pregabalin capsules.
The statement reads, “In Lagos, a notorious drug dealer, John Igbe, operating under the nickname: SammyBless, to distribute illicit drugs in Lekki and Ajah axis, was on Tuesday, 30th September, arrested at Admiralty road, Lekki. At the time of his arrest, 550 grams of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, packaged in retail plastic cups, were recovered from him.
“Three other suspects: Idris Lukman, Fuad Abdulsalam, and Mobolaji James were nabbed the same day in the Mushin area of the state, with 109kg skunk, 20 bottles of codeine syrup, and 2kg of nitrous oxide seized from them. At the Trade Fair Complex, Alaba area of the state, 3,700 bottles of codeine syrup and 550,000 caplets of expired 225mg diclofenac were recovered.
“While a total of 27,700 pills of tramadol 100mg/225mg were seized from a suspect, Salisu Abubakar, 25, at Bode Saadu, Morro LGA, Kwara state, on Monday, 29th September, Blessing Ovaka, 50, was caught with 498.5kg skunk at Kudandan, Chukun LGA, Kaduna, same day, just as Dahiru Salisu, 27, was arrested in possession of 34,180 capsules of tramadol at Gwargwaje along Kaduna – Zaria road on Thursday, 2nd October.
“In Ogun state, NDLEA operatives on Monday, 29th September, raided Isheri, Obafemi Owode LGA, where a suspect, Abubakar Audu, was arrested with 112kg skunk and 16grams of tramadol. Three suspects: Chuimieze Shedrack, 28; Sunday John, 25, and Solomon Okopko, 27, were nabbed by NDLEA officers on Thursday, 2nd October at Owena/Ijesha forest reserve, Osun state, where they destroyed 14,000kg skunk on 5.6 hectares of cannabis plantation and recovered 142kg of the same psychoactive substance.
“In Edo, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday, 1st October, intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle marked KUJ 47 NW loaded with 22 bags of skunk weighing 244.5kg at Igbanke, Orhionwon LGA, and a suspect, Ineh Excellent Obindi, 28, was arrested. A total of 10,897.35kg skunk was destroyed on four farms measuring 4.358938 hectares at Ugbodo forest, Ovia North East LGA, on Friday, 3rd October, with two suspects: Michael Ayang, 40, and Bernard New Year (a.k.a Don), 47, arrested. Not less than 223.5kg of processed cannabis and seeds were recovered from the farms.
“Operatives on patrol along the Okene/Lokoja highway intercepted a waybill parcel coming from Lagos to Abuja containing 3.272kg Loud and a sachet of Colorado. A follow-up operation at Gwagwalada park in Abuja led to the arrest of the owner, Tobi Odubote, 34, while another suspect, Ismail Abdurrahim, 32, was arrested in possession of 25.5kg skunk along Abaji- Abuja expressway on Thursday, 2nd October.
“In like manner, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities, among others, in the past week. These include: WADA sensitization lecture to students and staff of Government Day Secondary School, Hammawa Toungo, Adamawa; Government Day Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina; Day Secondary School, Unguwan Nasarawa, Kontogora, Niger; and traders at Ladega market, Ikorodu, Lagos, while the Imo state command of NDLEA paid a WADA advocacy visit to the State First Lady, Barr. Chioma Uzodinma at Government House, Owerri, among others.”
“We’ll continue to target and dismantle every identified drug cartel at every level of their operations, from the mules to the dealers in between and up to their leadership.
“These successful operations should serve as a warning that NDLEA will not relent until the threat posed by the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking is eliminated because every arrest, seizure and assets forfeited by the criminal syndicates signifies innocent lives saved and communities protected either here in Nigeria or in other jurisdictions”, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated.
He commended the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Kano, Edo, Kwara, Kaduna, Ogun, Osun, Kogi, and FCT Commands, as well as their compatriots across the country, for their tenacity, professionalism, and balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.
The Adamawa State commands of the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have announced the arrest of a total of 130 suspects.
While the state police command said Friday that it nabbed 72 suspects over the past three months, the NDLEA said it arrested 58 drug suspects last month, September 2025.
The two federal security agencies said in separate news briefings that heightened surveillance and crime-tackling measures made the arrests possible.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Dankombo Morris, said while his command arrested 72 suspects in the last three months, it has charged 57 to court as investigations continue on 15 other cases.
CP Morris listed the offences for which the arrests were made as kidnapping (nine cases), armed robberies (seven cases), culpable homicide (22), rape and sexual offences (18), theft (nine), Shilla Boys gangsterism (four), and abductions (three cases).
On his part, the Adamawa State Commander of the NDLEA, Aliyu Abubakar, disclosed that his command arrested 58 drug suspects comprising 56 men and two women; and seized 366.808 kg of cannabis sativa; 209.8 kg of psychotropic substances, and 11.6 kg of methamphetamine & others.
He said his operatives also confiscated four different types of vehicles and a motorcycle used in the transportation of illicit substances.
He added that in the Mijilu village of Mubi North LGA, his men destroyed six hectares of a cannabis farm and arrested five suspects associated with the farm.
He elaborated that among those arrested were two siblings who were bringing 500 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa from Akure in Ondo State en route to Mubi in Adamawa State but were intercepted in Lamurde in southern Adamawa as they made their way towards Mubi.
He said the arrested siblings are notorious for illicit trafficking in cannabis sativa, and that upon search of their house in Mubi, more cannabis sativa were found and seized.
“A search into the premises of the dealers in Mubi led to the recovery of 40 other blocks of compressed cannabis sativa,” the NDLEA Commander of Narcotics disclosed.
The Kano/Jigawa Command of the Nigerian Customs Service yesterday handed over a suspect and total of 261,750 capsules of Pregabalin (300 milligrams) and 228,700 tablets of Tramadol hydrochloride (225 milligrams) to the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The illicit drugs, concealed in five jumbo agro sacks, were seized by Customs around the border.
Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, said the drugs were hidden in 35 packets of Pregabalin and 28 rolls of Tramadol tablets.
Speaking while handing over the seized illicit drugs to NDLEA representative, the Kano/Jigawa Controller, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, said the substances pose serious health risks to the body, including organ damage, addiction, and restlessness, particularly among the youth.
Abubakar warned about the wider social implications of drug abuse, linking it to violence, crime, immorality, economic loss, and insecurity in the region.
He said a suspect was arrested with N455,500 intended as a bribe, alongside a black-tinted green Nissan Pathfinder, marked DUT196AE
A cutting knife was also among the exhibits recovered from the suspect.
“The seizure was in line with sections 55C and 234 of the Nigerian Customs Service Act 2023, which mandated the protection of public health and prohibits the possession of smuggled goods,” Abubakar said.
Commander of Narcotics Mohammad Maiaduwa Usman, received the suspect and exhibits on behalf of NDLEA.
He said NDLEA will conduct further investigations for the prosecution of the suspect.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to continued synergy with other security agencies in the fight against drug abuse.
The Kano/Jigawa command of the Nigerian Customs Service on Thursday handed over a suspect and a total of 261,750 capsules of Pregabalin (300 milligrams) and 228,700 tablets of Tramadol hydrochloride (225 milligrams) to the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The illicit drugs, concealed in five jumbo agro sacks, were seized by Customs around the border.
Area Controller of Customs, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, disclosed that the drugs were hidden inside 35 packets of Pregabalin and 28 rolls of Tramadol tablets.
Speaking while handing over the seized illicit drugs to the NDLEA representative, the Kano/Jigawa Controller, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, said the substances pose serious health risks to the body, including organ damage, addiction, and restlessness, particularly among the youth.
Abubakar warned about the wider social implications of drug abuse, linking it to violence, crime, immorality, economic loss, and insecurity in the region.
He said a male suspect was arrested at the scene with 455,500 Naira intended as a bribe, alongside a black-tinted green Nissan Pathfinder, marked DUT196AE
A cutting knife was also among the exhibits recovered from the suspect.
“The seizure was in line with sections 55C and 234 of the Nigerian Customs Service Act 2023, which mandated the protection of public health and prohibited the possession of smuggled goods,” Abubakar said.
Commander of narcotics Mohammad Maiaduwa Usman received the suspect and exhibits on behalf of NDLEA.
He said NDLEA will conduct further investigations for the prosecution of the suspect.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to continued synergy with other security agencies in the fight against drug abuse.
Two drug kingpins, Victor Nwosa and Felix Chika Obiegbu, have been arrested by operatives of a Special Operations Unit (SOU) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after consignments of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine being prepared for export to Europe and beyond were recovered from their Lagos homes following weeks of intelligence and surveillance on their criminal networks.
Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, in a statement said while 64-year-old Nwosa parades himself as a successful textile merchant, 49-year-old Obiegbu is known to many as a businessman who is into wine distribution.
The NDLEA Spokesman said, however, that beneath their outward appearance is their hidden illicit drug business unearthed by NDLEA operatives after months of intelligence gathering on the two syndicates led by them.
Babafemi said at the time they were preparing their consignments for export, NDLEA-SOU operatives who had for months put them under surveillance, swooped on them in various parts of Lagos.
According to the statement, Nwosa was arrested on September 17, this year at his 16 Femi Kila Street, Okota home where 4.33 kilograms of heroin and 448 grams of cocaine were recovered during a search of his house.
Babafemi added that Obiegbu was arrested on September 11at his 5 Shada Shonefun Street, Aguda, Surulere home where during a search, 2.902 kilograms of methamphetamine were uncovered and seized.
He said attempts by suspected suppliers of illicit drugs to terrorists and bandits in Borno and Yobe to move illicit drugs concealed in the engine compartment of a Mercedes Benz jeep and a lady’s travelling bag were also thwarted by NDLEA operatives on stop and search operations in the two states.
Babafemi said in Borno, following weeks of intelligence, NDLEA officers last Friday arrested Baba Kaka Ibrahim, 26, at Njimtilo village while driving a Mercedes Benz GLK marked JRE 987 AE towards Damaturu Road.
He said a search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 39, 380 pills of tramadol 225mg and exol-5 stuffed in the engine compartment of the jeep.
Babafemi said the following day in Yobe State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a lady Halima Adamu along Damaturu-Maiduguri road, where 39 parcels of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 1.4kg were found concealed inside the casing of her travelling bag.
He said a swift follow up led to the arrest of another lady linked to the consignment, Habiba Muhammad, at her Baga Road, Maiduguri home.
Two drug kingpins, Victor Nwosa and Felix Chika Obiegbu, have been arrested by operatives of the Special Operations Unit (SOU) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after consignments of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine being prepared for export to Europe and beyond were recovered from their Lagos homes.
The arrests followed weeks of intelligence and surveillance on their criminal networks, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed in a statement on Sunday.
Babafemi said 64-year-old Nwosa, who posed as a textile merchant, was arrested on September 17, 2025, at his residence on Femi Kila Street, Okota, where 4.33 kilograms of heroin and 448 grams of cocaine were recovered.
Similarly, 49-year-old Obiegbu, known publicly as a wine distributor, was apprehended on September 11, 2025, at his Shada Shonefun Street, Aguda Surulere home, where 2.902 kilograms of methamphetamine were uncovered.
Babafemi added that NDLEA operatives also thwarted attempts by suspected drug suppliers to terrorists and bandits in Borno and Yobe states, where illicit drugs concealed in a Mercedes Benz jeep’s engine compartment and a woman’s travel bag were intercepted during stop-and-search operations.
Babafemi said in Borno, following weeks of intelligence, NDLEA officers on Friday 26th September arrested Baba Kaka Ibrahim, 26, at Njimtilo village while driving a Mercedes Benz GLK marked JRE 987 AE towards Damaturu road.
He said a search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 39, 380 pills of tramadol 225mg and exol-5 stuffed in the engine compartment of the jeep.
Babafemi said the following day, Saturday 27th September in Yobe state, NDLEA operatives intercepted a lady Halima Adamu along Damaturu-Maiduguri road, where 39 parcels of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 1.4kg were found concealed inside the casing of her travelling bag.
He said a swift follow up operation led to the arrest of another lady linked to the consignment, Habiba Muhammad, at her Baga road, Maiduguri home.
The statement reads, “Two suspects: Aliyu Sani, 27, and Yahaya Tata, 26, were on Saturday 27th September arrested by NDLEA operatives along Zaria – Kano road, Gadar Tamburawa, Kano state with 30,030 pills of tramadol seized from them, while three suspects: Friday Elebechi, 35; Tobin Godgift, 30; and Aya Clement, 30, were arrested by NDLEA operatives at Swali jetty, Yenagoa, Bayelsa on Monday 22nd September after 12kg of skunk, a strain of cannabis and 50 Diana AAA cartridges were recovered from them.
“A 45-year-old ex-convict Femi Owoeye (aka Do Good) was on Thursday 25th September arrested by NDLEA officers at his 24 Oke-Igele street, Ikere Ekiti home.
He was found in possession of 32kg skunk and 10.5grams of tramadol. He had been convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment for a similar drug trafficking offence in 2016.
In Kaduna, a suspect Adedamola Olayeni, 56, was on Monday 22nd September arrested with 404 blocks of skunk weighing 262.6kg at the Abuja – Kaduna tollgate.
“The consignment was found in his Honda Pilot jeep marked MKA 499 TT, coming from Osogbo, Osun state and heading to Katsina state. Another suspect, Zubairu Haruna, 30, was on Wednesday 24th September found with 506grams of methamphetamine at the Gwantu – Fadan Karshi check point, Kaduna while a follow up operation in Gombe state led to the arrest of the actual receiver of the consignment Babangida Mohammed, 25.
“No fewer than 85,100 pills of tramadol and other opioids were seized from the trio of Dauda Abubakar; Abdullahi Umar and Ismaila Muhammed at Apapa area of Lagos on Monday 22nd September, while NDLEA operatives in Abuja the following day Tuesday 23rd September arrested Opeyemi Ogundipe, 40, with 2.1kg Colorado along Abaji- Gwagwalada expressway.
“In Edo state, NDLEA officers on Tuesday 23rd September destroyed a total of 12,115.6kg skunk on 4.846244 hectares of cannabis plantation at Uromi forest in Esan West LGA where two suspects: Ernest Uche, 44, and Felix Mugorga, 31, were arrested and 345.5kg processed substance was evacuated. At Ogu forest, Igueben LGA, no less than 12,031.245kg of same psychoactive substance was destroyed on 4.438442 hectares of cannabis farm on Wednesday 24th September with 106.1kg processed consignment evacuated.
“A truck conveying 82 bags of skunk concealed in bags of charcoal with a total weight of 1,025kg was intercepted by NDLEA operatives along Wareke-Auchi road, Etsako West LGA on Friday 26th September while two suspects: Kabiru Abdulahi, 35; and Anas Safiyanu, 20, were apprehended in connection with the seizure.
“In like manner, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of RCM Primary School 1, Igboora, Oyo; Champion International Academy, Enugu-Ezike, Enugu; Government Day Secondary School, Babban-Mutum, Katsina; Government Girls Arabic Secondary School, Dakata Kawaji, Nasarawa LGA, Kano; Solomon Primary School, Oko Balogun, Epe, Lagos while the Kogi state command of NDLEA paid a WADA advocacy visit to the Ejeh Ankpa, HRH Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed Yakubu in Ankpa.”
While commending the officers and men of the SOU, Borno, Yobe, Edo, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, FCT, Ekiti and Bayelsa Commands for the arrests, seizures and their dexterity, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues nationwide to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.
He noted, “The success of the various operations across the country underscores our commitment to safeguarding Nigeria from illicit substances that threaten public health and national security. Every gram of these dangerous drugs we seize and remove from our streets and communities, reinforces our determination to protect our youths, disrupt criminal networks, and strengthen national security.”
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has said the newly built canine facility donated to the agency by the German government will significantly strengthen Nigeria’s fight against illicit drugs.
Marwa made the remark on Friday, September 26, 2025, in Ikeja, Lagos, while commissioning the modern canine complex, according to a statement by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
“May I assure all stakeholders that the provision of this facility will significantly drive our fight against illicit drugs, fulfil our core mandate, and secure the future of our nation. The quality of the infrastructure at the new NDLEA Dog facility is indeed commendable. It speaks volumes of the commitment, goodwill, and tenacity of our partners,” Marwa said.
He praised the German government for its consistent support, noting that the NDLEA’s Canine Unit has recorded remarkable successes, including the seizure of 74.119kg of captagon at the Apapa seaport in 2021, thanks to sniffer dogs.
While commending the progress, Marwa emphasized that more effort is still required to sustain the agency’s rising operational excellence.
“This newly commissioned facility will, without doubt, provide a comfortable and dignified environment that will motivate our Canine Unit personnel to discharge their duties effectively and continue to meet both developmental and interdiction mandates.
“The commissioning of this new NDLEA Dog facility marks a significant milestone in the history of the collaboration between the Agency and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany. Everyone who understands the pivotal role of sniffer dogs in drug interdiction will share my sentiment and joy today.
“These canines play a critical role, using their heightened sense of smell to identify and detect concealed narcotic substances in cargo and shipments at our airports, seaports, land borders, courier service centres, and bus stations”, he stated
While buttressing the importance of canines to NDLEA’s successes, Marwa noted that the sniffer dogs have been instrumental to the seizure of over 17.932 metric tonnes of various illicit substances since their deployment in the Agency.
“In years past, the poor infrastructure of the NDLEA Canine Unit has limited its capacity to effectively address developmental and operational challenges. It is against this backdrop that the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, through the Liaison Office of the German Federal Criminal Police, intervened to sponsor the construction of a modern dog facility for the Agency.”
He commended the German government for always fulfilling its commitments to the Agency in wide-ranging areas covering technical, logistics, and training support.
“Most significant is today’s commissioning and handover of the NDLEA Dog facility. The construction of the facility commenced in August 2024 and was completed on schedule”, he added.
He expressed appreciation to the German Consul General Mr. Daniel Krull, the personnel of the Liaison Office of the German Federal Criminal Police, and their colleagues in Berlin, Saxony, and Sachsen-Anhalt who worked tirelessly to bring the project to fruition.
In his remarks, the Consul General Daniel Krull said the success of NDLEA’s operation is not only helping to keep Nigeria safe but is also of great benefit to Germany.
According to him, “Chairman, I would like to congratulate you on the implementation of this important project, the success, and the amazing work of your agency under your leadership. My colleagues briefed me that your agency has been very, very successful, instrumental in fighting crime in Nigeria.
“And that is, of course, not only important for Nigeria, but it is important for the region. And it goes far beyond. It is also important for us in Germany. So congratulations on the amazing work, and I would encourage all members of the NDLEA to keep up the good spirit and continue the amazing work. Secondly, I would like to thank you, Chairman, and all staff members for the trust you have in your German partners. And that trust, I think, is what the most important currency in this international cooperation is. And we hope that this trust will be so solid that we will have a very fruitful cooperation in the future.”
Speaking in the same light, the deputy head of section IZ14 BKA, Berlin, Mr. Florian Bulow, said the support for NDLEA is one of the longest-reaching projects the BKA has done in police capacity building.
“And if you have such a long cooperation, it’s like in a marriage, it needs love. But love is not everything. You also need trust. So if you trust, you can work together. You also have to share the same goals and values. And we do that in our fight against drug smuggling and drug abuse. But one of the most important things, you have to work together as a team. And we did that for many, many years. And if you work together as a team and go this long road as a team, you can achieve something. And what we have achieved together is that”, he stated.
The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd) has urged parents to acquire Drug test kits for home to ensure early detection of drug use by children and managing the situation.
He said drug abuse has become a societal menace that endangers the health, wellbeing, and future of young people.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) 2025 Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Competition, as the Special Guest of Honour, Marwa said parents, guardians, and teachers have a sacred responsibility to their children along the right path, helping them to nurture their talents, pursue their dreams.
He said, “Let me be clear: drug abuse destroys ambition, extinguishes hope, and robs young people of the bright future that rightfully belongs to them. It is not just an individual tragedy; it is a national loss.
“As parents, guardians, and teachers, we share the sacred responsibility of guiding our children along the right path—helping them to nurture their talents, pursue their dreams, and avoid the destructive grip of drugs. We must remain close to our children, give them attention, and never ignore the warning signs,.
“In fact, I encourage families to take proactive steps, including acquiring drug test kits for home use. It is better to detect drug use early, when intervention is possible, than to wait until it develops into full-blown addiction.”
The NDLEA boss also urged schools to establish drug-free clubs, assuring that the agency was ready to support them in the effort, as part of our shared responsibility to build a healthier and safer nation.
He commended DEPOWA for organising the sports-based drug abuse prevention programme with the theme “Live Free, Stay Clean”.
“It speaks directly to the need for early sensitisation, and I commend DEPOWA for this visionary initiative. Sports, after all, should remain a noble pursuit—one that rewards discipline, hard work, and integrity, not shortcuts rooted in abuse, including performance-enhancing drugs,” he added.
He further urged the students to use sports as a healthy outlet, build resilience, and stay drug-free.
The President of (DEPOWA, Mrs Oghogho Musa, said this year’s competition, is a sports-based drug abuse prevention programme targeted at empowering secondary school students to lead drug-free lives through engagement in sports, awareness activities, and positive lifestyle choices.
According to her, the rising cases of substance abuse among teenagers in Nigeria—especially with easy access to cannabis, codeine, inhalants, and other psychoactive substances were deeply concerning.
She said, “Peer pressure, misinformation, and socio-economic pressures often lead our youth into experimenting with drugs.
“As a society, we have a responsibility to protect, guide, and support them to navigate adolescence safely and in good health.”
Mrs Musa emphasized the significance of sports in shaping lives of young people, noting that through sports youths learn teamwork, leadership, resilience, perseverance, and self-discipline.
“These qualities help them cope with challenges, manage emotions, and make informed choices, while also providing a healthy outlet for stress and anxiety.
“As we empower them through sports, we must also educate them about the dangers of substance abuse,” she said.
