By Oluwakemi Kindness
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have reaffirmed their commitment to disrupting drug trafficking networks by targeting the financial structures that sustain organized crime.
Speaking at a joint press briefing in Abuja ahead of the 2026 World Drug Day, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba-Marwa (Rtd), said the agency is intensifying efforts to dismantle drug cartels by seizing assets linked to illicit drug activities and cutting off their sources of funding.
Marwa, represented by the agency’s Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, said the NDLEA’s strategy now goes beyond arrests and drug seizures to include aggressive pursuit of criminal proceeds.
“We are not just arresting traffickers; we are liquidating their financial empires,” he said. “Through the Proceeds of Crime Act and other legal instruments, we are targeting assets linked to drug crimes and effectively cutting off the lifeblood of these criminal networks.”
He noted that the agency’s “Offensive Action” campaign has resulted in the dismantling of major drug syndicates, the arrest and prosecution of drug barons, and increased asset forfeitures since its launch in 2021.
Marwa also announced a weeklong programme to commemorate the 2026 World Drug Day, themed “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.” The activities will culminate in a grand finale at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on June 26.
In his remarks, UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Ousmane Toure, represented by Deputy Country Representative Danielo Campisi, warned that the global drug problem continues to evolve with the rise of synthetic drugs, digital drug markets, and increasingly sophisticated trafficking networks.
He stressed that no single institution can tackle the challenge alone, calling for stronger partnerships, innovation, and sustained action.
“As we commemorate World Drug Day, UNODC reaffirms its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts through evidence-based strategies, innovation, human-centred approaches, and international cooperation,” Campisi said.
The UNODC official added that while the challenges posed by illicit drugs continue to evolve, collective action and coordinated responses remain critical to protecting communities and strengthening national and global drug control efforts.
The joint briefing underscored the growing collaboration between NDLEA and UNODC as both organisations seek to strengthen Nigeria’s response to drug trafficking, substance abuse, and emerging threats in the global narcotics trade.
