Marwa Charges NDLEA Officers to Remain Resolute in War Against Drugs, Commissions New Facilities in Kano
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired), has urged officers and men of the Agency to remain resolute and steadfast in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking, describing the mission as one that demands courage, discipline, and unwavering purpose.
Marwa gave the charge on Saturday, 19 April 2025, during the commissioning of newly constructed blocks of terrace flats for NDLEA personnel in Kano State.
The accommodation units are designated for the Zonal Command, Kano Command, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Command, and members of the Agency’s elite Strike Force Team deployed in the state.
He also inaugurated a new rehabilitation facility as part of the Agency’s ongoing efforts to combat the drug scourge from multiple fronts.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the NDLEA boss hailed the project as a further demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare of security personnel across Nigeria, including those on the frontline of the anti-narcotics battle.
“We are acutely aware that the effectiveness of our officers hinges not merely upon their training and tools, but also upon the quality of their living conditions. A secure and decent home front empowers the spirit, sharpens the mind, and steels the resolve of those tasked with the solemn duty of safeguarding our society from the scourge of illicit drugs,” Marwa stated.
He recalled that the Agency, in its 35-year history, commissioned its first ever barracks in Yola, Adamawa State in February 2025. He revealed that another facility in Abuja has just been completed and awaits formal commissioning by President Tinubu.
Additional housing projects are underway in Enugu and Lagos States, reflecting a broader agenda to raise the standard of living for NDLEA personnel nationwide.
“These structures we commission today are not mere edifices of brick and mortar; they are symbols of peace, assurance, and respect,” Marwa declared. “They reflect the value we place on our officers and an affirmation of our enduring pledge to uplift their standard of living.”
He acknowledged the formidable nature of the anti-drug war and the personal sacrifices made daily by officers.
“The war against drug abuse and trafficking is not for the faint-hearted – it demands unyielding courage, iron discipline, and a resolute sense of purpose. With improved living conditions, our officers are fortified – physically, mentally, and emotionally – to bear the burden of this vital mission,” he said.
Marwa also commended the Kano Command for its commendable efforts in arresting drug offenders, seizing illicit substances, and securing convictions over the past year.
He underscored the strategic importance of Kano as both a border state and home to an international airport, thereby positioning it as a critical zone in the national drug interdiction architecture.
“I wish to sincerely acknowledge and commend the dedication and hard work of all NDLEA officers serving in Kano. The records of arrests, seizures, and convictions over the past twelve months—both in quantity and quality—have been impressive,” he said.
The NDLEA chief appealed to personnel who would occupy the new residential blocks to handle the facilities with care and a sense of discipline.
He described the commissioning as a significant step in building a more resilient, people-centred, and mission-driven Agency. “Let us, together, continue to build an institution that stands for excellence, inspires loyalty, and never ceases to support its personnel.”
Marwa expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his unwavering support, as well as to stakeholders who have stood alongside the Agency in its constitutional mandate to rid the nation of drugs.
In a brief highlight at the event, Marwa decorated the Zonal Commander of Zone 5 Command, Maryam Gambo Sani, with her new rank of Deputy Commander General of Narcotics (DCGN), in recognition of her meritorious service.
The commissioning marked yet another milestone in NDLEA’s strategic transformation, blending infrastructure development with institutional morale to deliver a more effective war on drugs across Nigeria.
