Nigeria No Longer Permissive Ground for Drug Cartels

By Adebola Isimijola

Abuja — The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has declared that Nigeria is no longer a safe or permissive ground for international drug cartels, attributing the shift to intensified enforcement actions and institutional reforms by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The UNODC Country Representative in Nigeria, Cheikh Ousmane Toure, stated this on Monday in Abuja during the handover of state-of-the-art audiovisual interview rooms to the NDLEA. The project was supported by the United States International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau (US-INL).

Toure said recent records of arrests, seizures and convictions had sent a clear signal to organised criminal networks operating across borders.

“Transnational drug trafficking remains one of the most destabilising forces of our time; it fuels corruption, funds violence, destroys communities and exploits the most vulnerable,” he said. “But under the leadership of Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), NDLEA has strengthened enforcement and expanded prevention and treatment initiatives. The result is clear—Nigeria is no longer a permissive environment.”

He noted that Nigeria’s strategic location had previously made it a transit hub for drug trafficking routes linking Latin America, Asia and Africa, but commended ongoing efforts to reverse the trend.

Toure also described the donation of the interview facilities as a step toward strengthening transparency and accountability in criminal investigations, urging that such infrastructure be replicated across NDLEA formations nationwide.

Responding, NDLEA Chairman, Marwa, expressed appreciation to UNODC and US-INL for their continued support, assuring that the agency remains committed to sustaining the momentum.

“We are not just commissioning rooms; we are upgrading the integrity of our investigative process,” he said. “The NDLEA is currently at an advanced stage of digital transformation, and these facilities align with global best practices in law enforcement.”

He added that the equipment would enhance operational capacity and reinforce public confidence in the agency.

“For our officers, this means better tools for the job. For the public, it means a more transparent and professional agency. We are ready for the work ahead,” Marwa said.

The event was attended by senior officials of UNODC, NDLEA and the United States delegation, including US-INL Deputy Director, Dr. Douglas Grane.