Marwa justifies US support for NDLEA at donation of Central Exhibit Office

By Damilola Adeleke
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.- Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, affirmed the agency’s commitment to justifying the support it receives from the United States government and other stakeholders. Marwa made this statement on January 7, 2025, in Lagos during the commissioning of a new central exhibit office donated by the US government to the NDLEA.
Located at the agency’s headquarters annex in Ikoyi, Lagos, the facility was handed over by the US Consulate General, Ms. Jo Ellen Georg, with other senior US officials in attendance. Marwa highlighted that the steady operational successes of the NDLEA in drug supply and demand reduction justify the assistance it receives.
Describing the US as a reliable ally in the fight against drug-related crimes, Marwa said the collaboration has significantly enhanced the agency’s operational capabilities. The donation of the office underscores the importance of secure handling of evidence for successful drug-related prosecutions, further bolstering accountability and transparency.
In 2024 alone, the NDLEA seized over 2.6 million kilograms of illicit drugs, arrested more than 18,500 offenders, secured over 3,250 convictions, and destroyed more than 220 hectares of cannabis farms. Additionally, over 8,200 individuals were counseled and rehabilitated, and more than 3,000 advocacy programs were conducted across Nigeria.
Marwa acknowledged the dynamic and multifaceted challenges of drug trafficking and called for continued international collaboration, especially in capacity building, advanced technology, intelligence sharing, and operational logistics. He pledged accountability and effective utilization of resources entrusted to the NDLEA.
In her remarks, Ms. Jo Ellen Georg emphasized the enduring partnership between Nigeria and the US, noting the shared goals of combating drug trafficking and promoting stability. She commended the NDLEA’s progress and the agency’s utilization of US support, including the modernization of its chemical forensic laboratory in Lagos in 2024.
The US Consulate General reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with Nigeria in the fight against narcotics, emphasizing that joint efforts have disrupted drug trafficking networks and advanced forensic capabilities in West Africa.