The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (Retd), has received assurances of increased support from the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
The Director of INL in Nigeria, Ms Candace Spradley, conveyed the commitment during a courtesy visit to Marwa at the NDLEA’s national headquarters in Abuja on Monday, April 28, 2025.
Spradley, who was accompanied by her colleague Ms. Ada Aki, commended the operational successes recorded by the NDLEA and reiterated the U.S. government’s commitment to deepening cooperation with the agency.
She stressed that the purpose of their visit was to reinforce the importance of the ongoing partnership and to express readiness to provide further assistance.
“Our visit is to underscore the importance of our collaboration and to assure you that we’re ready to support your work. If there is any area of assistance you would like, we’ll be ready to assist you,” Spradley stated.
In his response, Marwa highlighted the unwavering commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across Nigeria. He also acknowledged the keen interest of U.S. President Donald Trump in tackling the global drug scourge.
Marwa expressed appreciation for INL’s support, noting that the assistance provided so far has helped position the NDLEA as the leading anti-narcotics agency in Africa.
However, he emphasized the need for sustained international collaboration to consolidate recent operational gains.
He outlined specific areas where further assistance is required, including the provision of operational vehicles, forensic laboratory equipment, and training programs for forensic analysts.
Marwa also requested support in developing capabilities in cyberspace and cryptocurrency investigations, as well as the supply of drug testing kits for field operations.
THE WHISTLER reported that the NDLEA destroyed approximately 1.6 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs seized from Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo States in recent weeks. Over 10 million kilograms of illicit drugs were seized in Nigeria between 2021 and 2024.