The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has stated that Nigeria is no longer a permissive environment for international drug cartels, pointing to increased arrests, seizures, and convictions linked to ongoing reforms within the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Toure, made this known in Abuja during the official handover of newly built audiovisual interview rooms to the NDLEA, supported by funding from the United States International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (US-INL).
According to Toure, drug trafficking remains a major global security threat, fueling corruption, violence, and exploitation across regions. He noted that Nigeria’s geographic location has historically positioned it as both a transit and target hub for international drug networks operating across continents.
However, he emphasized that recent enforcement actions have significantly changed this perception, crediting the leadership of NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, for strengthening operational effectiveness and intensifying anti-drug campaigns since 2021.
Toure praised international cooperation in the fight against narcotics, particularly the financial and technical support provided by the United States, describing the newly delivered facilities as a step toward improving transparency, accountability, and investigative standards.
He also encouraged the expansion of modern interrogation systems across NDLEA commands nationwide to further strengthen enforcement capacity.
In response, NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, expressed appreciation to UNODC and US-INL, noting that the partnership would further enhance the agency’s digital transformation and investigative processes.
He stated that the upgraded facilities would improve efficiency, strengthen professionalism, and align Nigeria’s drug law enforcement practices with global standards, while reinforcing respect for human rights.
The event brought together senior officials from UNODC, NDLEA, and US-INL, highlighting growing international collaboration in Nigeria’s anti-drug efforts.
The development reflects increasing global confidence in Nigeria’s anti-narcotics campaign and signals a shift in the country’s role in international drug enforcement efforts.
