NDLEA, UNODC urge unified action against drug abuse, trafficking

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have called for stronger collaboration among governments, communities, civil society organisations and international partners to tackle the evolving challenges posed by drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

The call came on Friday during a joint press briefing in Abuja to unveil activities lined up for the 2026 World Drug Day commemoration, themed: “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.”

Speaking at the event, the NDLEA chairman and chief executive officer, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the changing nature of the global drug problem required a united and innovative response from all stakeholders.

Represented by the secretary of the agency, Shadrach Haruna, Marwa said the emergence of synthetic drugs, sophisticated trafficking networks and digital illicit markets had made collaboration more important than ever.

“This theme underscores the evolving dynamic of the global drug landscape. It acknowledges that while old battlegrounds remain, new synthetic threats, sophisticated trafficking networks and digital illicit markets have emerged, demanding that we counter them with proactive, technology-driven and highly innovative responses,” he said.

Marwa stressed that no institution could singlehandedly win the fight against drug abuse and trafficking, noting that NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign had evolved into a “whole-of-society” approach involving communities, schools, religious institutions and other stakeholders.

“Our flagship, the WADA programme, launched five years ago on World Drug Day 2021, has matured into a formidable whole-of-society approach. It has successfully bridged the gap between law enforcement and the citizenry, turning ordinary Nigerians into active stakeholders in the war against drug abuse,” he said.

The NDLEA boss said the agency would continue to intensify its offensive against drug cartels while also strengthening prevention and public awareness campaigns.

Also speaking, UNODC country representative, Cheikh Ousmane Toure, represented by the deputy country representative, Danielo Campisi, said the world drug problem continued to evolve and required sustained cooperation among stakeholders.

He noted that Nigeria faced the dual challenge of addressing longstanding drug-related concerns while adapting to emerging threats.

“No single institution can address these challenges alone. Progress depends on partnership, shared responsibility and sustained action. The problem persists, but it is not insurmountable. The challenges are evolving, so are our solutions; and our response must be united, informed and forward-looking,” Campisi said.

He reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through evidence-based interventions, innovation, international cooperation and people-centred approaches.

The two organisations also announced a week-long programme of activities to mark the 2026 World Drug Day celebration.

According to Marwa, the activities commenced on June 19 with a press conference and a special Juma’at prayer at the National Mosque, Abuja.

Other events include a Walk Against Drugs on June 20 in partnership with Baze University, Nile University and the MTN Foundation; a thanksgiving church service on June 21; the national essay competition finals on June 22; NGO Day on June 23; and an out-of-school youth sensitisation campaign across major markets and motor parks in the Federal Capital Territory on June 24.

The week-long activities will culminate in a grand finale at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja on June 26, where government officials, diplomats and international stakeholders are expected to unveil new policy frameworks for addressing emerging dimensions of the global drug problem.

Marwa expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governments, development partners and security agencies for their support in the fight against illicit drugs.

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