The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), has commended the National Assembly for its unwavering support in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
He expressed his appreciation during the NDLEA’s 2025 budget proposal defence before the Senate and House Committees on Narcotic Drugs in Abuja on Monday and Tuesday.
Marwa particularly highlighted the committees’ dedication to advancing legislative measures to combat drug-related challenges, including efforts to amend the NDLEA Act.
He emphasized the critical need for budgetary allocations to construct barracks for NDLEA personnel, noting that inadequate accommodation poses security risks and affects staff morale.
“Proper accommodation will enhance staff morale, ensure security, and strengthen the agency’s capacity to execute its mandate,” he stated.
The NDLEA chief called for an enhancement of the N16 billion allocated for capital expenditure in the proposed 2025 budget, which currently has no provision for the barracks project.
He pointed out that many commands operate from rented facilities, which are unsuitable for effective operations.
Marwa also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his support and reiterated the agency’s commitment to collaborating with the National Assembly to create a drug-free Nigeria.
The proposed 2025 budget allocates ₦67.5 billion to the NDLEA, with ₦47.1 billion for recurrent personnel costs, ₦3.4 billion for overheads, and ₦16.9 billion for capital expenditure.
The agency’s workforce comprises over 14,000 officers, with resources stretched to cover intelligence, arrests, seizures, investigations, and prosecutions.
The House Committee Chairman on Narcotic Drugs, Abass Adigun, and the Senate Committee Chairman on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, pledged continued legislative support to enhance the agency’s operations.
Dankwambo lauded the NDLEA for its outstanding performance in 2024, promising further assistance to meet its goals in the coming year.
The NDLEA remains committed to addressing drug cartels, substance abuse, and infrastructural challenges to safeguard Nigerian communities effectively.