Marwa Urges Global Unity to Crush Drug Cartels, Highlights Nigeria’s Breakthroughs at UN

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The international community has been called upon to close ranks and dismantle trans-national drug cartels threatening global peace and security.

The Chairman , National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), stated this at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Plenary Session of the Third Committee in New York on Monday.

A statement on Tuesday by the NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, said Marwa said the world must act decisively and collectively to end the grip of criminal drug networks.

“The world can no longer be held hostage by the illicit drug trade,” Marwa declared. “We must stand together, resolute and united, to dismantle the networks that threaten our peace, stability, and collective future.”

Highlighting Nigeria’s comprehensive strategy against drug trafficking and abuse, the NDLEA boss outlined key achievements under the nation’s ongoing reforms.

He said Nigeria has prioritized international cooperation and intelligence sharing, signing memoranda of understanding with several countries and maintaining strong partnerships with global agencies such as the UNODC, EU, DEA, INL, NCA, and BKA.

These collaborations, he noted, have led to major drug seizures, the arrest of high-profile traffickers, and successful prosecutions.

Marwa also detailed the country’s multi-pronged domestic response, including:

* Strengthening anti–money laundering measures linked to drug proceeds.
* Expanding care and rehabilitation for drug users through opioid substitution therapy and safer needle exchange programmes.
* Promoting the Alternative Development Programme, which replaces illicit cannabis cultivation with legitimate livelihoods to enhance food security and environmental protection.
* Sustaining the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign to mobilize nationwide awareness and community participation.

He added that Nigeria is proactively confronting emerging threats such as new psychoactive substances and the use of the Dark Web for drug trafficking, while intensifying actions against **methamphetamine production and precursor chemical diversion.

Marwa further revealed that the implementation of Nigeria’s National Drug Control Master Plan has deepened inter-agency collaboration and produced measurable results.

To bridge treatment gaps, the NDLEA operates a 24/7 toll-free drug call centre, offering multilingual counselling services to reduce stigma and promote recovery.

The NDLEA chief reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to global partnerships in achieving a safer, drug-free world.