NDLEA Launches New Drug Control Plan Amid Rising Threats

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), chaired by Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, has launched a new drug control plan in response to a significant rise in drug threats in Nigeria. During the opening session of a two-day National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) consultative forum in Abuja, Marwa highlighted a projected 40% increase in drug use across Africa by 2030, as indicated by a recent UNODC report.

He emphasized the need for a proactive approach to address the complexities of Nigeria's drug landscape, which is increasingly affected by synthetic substances and prescription drug abuse. The new plan, covering 2026-2030, will focus on two critical pillars: alternative development and socio-economic interventions to disrupt the illicit drug economy.

Marwa called for community involvement and recognized the importance of inclusivity, particularly regarding youth and gender issues in drug control policies. Cheikh Tour from the UNODC underscored the necessity of coordinated efforts across all government levels to effectively combat drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.