Nigeria Declared Unsafe for Drug Cartels by UNODC

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) declared that Nigeria is no longer a permissive environment for international drug cartels. This statement was made by Cheikh Tour during a visit to Abuja on Monday, coinciding with the handover of a newly constructed audiovisual interview room at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) facility, which is equipped with modern interrogation technology funded by the UNODC.

The UNODC highlighted that Nigeria's geographical position historically made it a target for drug trafficking networks spanning Latin America, Asia, and Africa. However, recent enforcement efforts, particularly under the leadership of NDLEA Chairman Moham Buba Marwa, have significantly altered this narrative.

Marwa noted that the agency has intensified operations since 2021, sending a strong deterrent message to organized criminal groups. The partnership with the UNODC and the US INL continues to strengthen Nigeria's anti-narcotics efforts, with calls for replicating modern interrogation systems nationwide to enhance investigative capabilities.