Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has said the agency’s successes in combating drug trafficking will continue to justify the support it receives from the United States government and other partners.
 
Marwa stated this at the commissioning of a central exhibit office donated by the US government to the NDLEA at the agency’s headquarters annex in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday. 
 
“This donation acknowledges the critical need for efficient and secure handling of evidence, which is essential for the successful prosecution of drug-related cases,” Marwa said.
 
“It is an investment in the security and the future of our nations.”
 
He said the NDLEA seized over 2.6 million kilograms of illicit drugs in 2024, arrested more than 18,500 drug trafficking offenders, and convicted over 3,250 individuals.
 
“We recognise that the war against drug trafficking and abuse is far from over,” Marwa said.
 
“We seek intervention in critical areas such as capacity building and enhanced training for our officers, provision of technology and equipment, especially for advanced surveillance and tracking, intelligence and information sharing, and provision of operational logistics.”
 
He commended the US government for its support and thanked the US DEA attaché in Nigeria, Mr. Robert Bascoe, for his efforts.
 
Ms. Jo Ellen Georg, the US acting consul general, highlighted the significance of the support the US government has been providing for the NDLEA. 
 
“Today, as part of our enduring partnership, the U.S. government, through the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), is honoured to hand over a dedicated office space for the NDLEA,” Ms. Georg said.
 
“This dedicated facility will provide NDLEA officers with a safe and secure office space to conduct investigations, to process arrestees, and to conduct post-arrest interviews,” she added.