Breaking the Chains: NDLEA’s Relentless War Against Drug Abuse
By As-sayyidul Arafat Abdulrazaq,
Drug abuse in Nigeria is a national emergency, threatening both public health and national security. The rapid rise in substance abuse especially among young people has fueled violent crime, insurgency, and economic instability.
This can be noted as evident from cannabis and codeine to tramadol and methamphetamine (mkpuru mmiri), illicit substances are wreaking havoc on individuals, families and communities. More alarmingly, criminal organizations, including insurgent groups like Boko Haram and armed bandits, have exploited drug trafficking to fund their operations, making the fight against drugs a crucial battle for Nigeria’s future.
More worrisome is that the health consequences of drug addiction are equally devastating. The abuse of opioids and synthetic drugs has led to a surge in mental health disorders, psychiatric admissions, and cases of sudden deaths due to overdoses. Substance dependence has crippled productivity, with many youths who should be contributing to national development instead wasting away due to addiction.
Therefore, the sheer scale of the crisis, as highlighted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), underscores the urgency of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.
Launched on June 26, 2021, under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, WADA is a holistic and aggressive campaign designed to cut off both the supply and demand for illicit drugs. While cracking down on drug dealers and traffickers remains a key component, the initiative also focuses on preventing drug abuse through sensitization, rehabilitation and community engagement.
It is obvious that NDLEA’s offensive action against drug supply intensified under Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa’s leadership has been relentless. The agency has recorded over 57,792 arrests, secured 10,572 convictions, and seized more than 10 million kilograms of drugs since 2021.
The agency’s Strike Force, established to dismantle smuggling networks, has carried out high-profile busts, exposing traffickers who go to extreme lengths to conceal narcotics in household items such as compressors, duvets and soap bars. This year alone, NDLEA operatives destroyed 25 tons of narcotics in Kogi State, a significant blow to drug syndicates.
Beyond enforcement, WADA’s heart lies in prevention. NDLEA has launched extensive sensitization campaigns across Nigeria, targeting schools, religious institutions, markets, and workplaces. By engaging directly with communities, the agency is ensuring that the dangers of drug abuse are well understood at the grassroots level. From Maku Grammar School in Oyo to Jama’atu Islamiyya in Kogi State, the agency’s educational programs have reached thousands, sparking conversations and behavioral change.
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A key innovation in this fight is the “Save Our Families” campaign, launched in 2024, which provides drug-test kits to parents, enabling early detection of substance abuse among children. The initiative has empowered families to become the first line of defense against drug addiction, reinforcing the message that prevention begins at home.
Nevertheless, the results speak for themselves as it was noted that in mid-2024, over 13,000 drug users had received counseling or rehabilitation, a dramatic increase from just 599 in 2020. In Kaduna State, a sensitization program in February 2024 prompted community leaders to pledge the creation of drug-free neighborhoods, leading to a surge in calls to NDLEA’s helpline.
Similarly, in Imo State, after a 2024 outreach at Owerri-Aba Primary School, teachers became more vigilant in spotting early signs of drug use among students. Meanwhile, in Kano, where Brig. Gen. Marwa estimates there are 1.07 million drug users, WADA’s initiatives are specifically targeting Almajiri children —one of the most vulnerable groups— to prevent them from falling into the hands of drug peddlers.
These efforts are being reinforced in 2025, with NDLEA intensifying its outreach programs. Lectures at the Federal Cooperative College in Ibadan on February 20 provided firsthand accounts of the dangers of drug abuse, while newly established area commands in Kwali and Kuje (FCT) have extended the agency’s reach into more communities. In 2024 alone, NDLEA’s sensitization campaigns reached over 1.8 million people, demonstrating that awareness is just as crucial as enforcement in the fight against drug abuse.
However, despite these successes, the battle is far from won. Drug cartels continue to adapt, devising new ways to smuggle narcotics, while economic hardship drives many into substance abuse. To sustain its momentum, NDLEA must integrate advanced technology into its operations.
Currently, the agency relies heavily on human intelligence and physical patrols, but traffickers are becoming more sophisticated, concealing drugs in unlikely items and exploiting loopholes in border security.
Drones could revolutionize NDLEA’s surveillance capabilities, enabling officers to track illicit drug farms and cross-border smuggling routes in real-time. AI-driven digital tracking and data analytics could also help map drug trafficking patterns, identify high-risk zones and optimize enforcement efforts. If NDLEA embraces these tools, it can stay one step ahead of traffickers and further weaken Nigeria’s drug networks.
Notwithstanding, it is apt to note that the War Against Drug Abuse is more than just a fight against illegal substances—it is a fight for the future of Nigeria. NDLEA’s success so far has proved that with sustained action, strong leadership, and community participation, the tide can turn.
The agency’s achievements are not just measured in the tons of drugs seized but in the lives saved, the addicts rehabilitated, and the families restored. This is a war that Nigeria cannot afford to lose, and with WADA leading the charge, there is real hope for a drug-free society.
As-sayyidul Arafat Abdulrazaq is a serving NYSC member at the Center for Crisis Communication and can be reached via [email protected].
