June 19 (THEWILL) — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have commenced weeklong activities to commemorate the 2026 World Drug Day, pledging a sustained and coordinated offensive against drug trafficking networks across the country and beyond.
The announcement was made on Friday, during a joint press briefing held at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, officially flagging off programmes lined up for the global observance scheduled for June 26.
In his address, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), described World Drug Day as a critical global platform for assessing progress in the fight against illicit drugs and setting new policy directions for the year ahead.
Marwa, who was represented at the briefing by the agency Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, said the 2026 theme, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses”, reflects the rapidly evolving dynamics of global drug trafficking and abuse.
He noted that while traditional drug challenges persist, new threats such as synthetic drugs, sophisticated transnational trafficking networks, and digital illicit drug markets have emerged, requiring more proactive, technology-driven, and innovative countermeasures.
According to him, the NDLEA has continued to adapt its strategies to meet these emerging realities, combining enforcement with robust public sensitisation campaigns under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.
Marwa explained that WADA has evolved into a “whole-of-society approach” aimed at strengthening community involvement in drug prevention, particularly among young people, through data-driven intelligence and sustained advocacy.
He said the weeklong commemoration begins with the press briefing and includes a series of coordinated activities designed to blend advocacy, spiritual engagement, youth mobilisation, and policy dialogue.
The schedule includes a Juma’at service at the National Mosque in Abuja, a “Walk Against Drugs” in collaboration with Baze University, Nile University, and the MTN Foundation on Saturday, June 20, and a Thanksgiving Church Service on Sunday, June 21.
Other activities are the national essay competition final on Monday, June 22, themed “Say No to Drugs: Building a Healthy and Responsible Generation,” NGO Day on Tuesday, June 23, and a youth outreach programme on Wednesday, June 24, targeting markets and motor parks within the Federal Capital Territory.
Thursday, June 25, will be dedicated to strategic planning and final briefings ahead of the grand finale scheduled for Friday, June 26, at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, where government officials, diplomats, and international stakeholders are expected to converge.
Marwa further disclosed that the agency’s enforcement operations under its “Offensive Action” strategy, launched in 2021, have continued to yield significant results, including the dismantling of drug cartels, arrest of high-profile traffickers, and increased conviction rates supported by the Proceeds of Crime Act.
He stressed that the NDLEA is not only targeting traffickers for arrest but is also systematically dismantling their financial networks through asset seizure and forfeiture processes, aimed at cutting off the economic lifelines of criminal syndicates.
The NDLEA boss expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his continued political support, as well as to state governments and international partners supporting the anti-drug campaign.
He acknowledged collaboration with international agencies, including the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), UK Home Office International Operations, Border Force, National Crime Agency (NCA), French Police, and Germany’s BKA, among others.
He also commended Nigerian security and regulatory agencies, including the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Marwa also praised the media for its role in public enlightenment, describing it as vital to sustaining awareness on the dangers of drug abuse.
In his remarks, the UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Ousmane Toure, represented by Deputy Country Representative Danielo Campisi, said the global drug problem is constantly evolving and requires sustained international cooperation.
He noted that no single institution can effectively address the challenge alone, stressing that progress depends on partnership, shared responsibility, and innovative responses.
UNODC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts through evidence-based strategies, human-centred interventions, and enhanced international cooperation.
“As we commemorate World Drug Day, UNODC reaffirms its support for Nigeria through innovation, evidence, and collaboration. The response must be united, informed, and forward-looking”, he said.
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