Ever wondered what NDLEA stands for and what exactly they do? NDLEA is a federal law enforcement agency that is responsible for eliminating the growing, processing, manufacturing, selling, exporting, and trafficking of hard drugs in Nigeria.
You’ve probably heard about them in the news recently with some major drug busts. But NDLEA does a whole lot more than just seize illegal drugs and arrest perpetrators. Their goal is to completely rid the country of the drug menace.
The NDLEA has quite the task ahead of them as drug abuse and addiction continue to rise in Nigeria. In this article, you will get to know the full meaning of NDLEA, its history, major responsibilities, and organizational structure.
What is the Full Meaning of NDLEA?
NDLEA stands for National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. It is a federal law enforcement Agency established in 1989 to eliminate the growing, processing, manufacturing, selling, exporting, and trafficking of hard drugs.
History and Establishment of the NDLEA
The NDLEA stands for National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. It was established by Decree Number 48 of 29th December 1989 under the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The decree was issued in reaction to the increasing demand and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, which harmed Nigerians’ and the country’s international image in the 1980s. Illicit drug trafficking has evolved into an organized criminal enterprise that threatens the country’s security and growth, necessitating the government’s immediate attention to eradicating the unlawful cultivation, importation, processing, manufacture, sale, trafficking and use of hard drugs.
The NDLEA aims to rid Nigeria of the menace of hard drugs and to coordinate all laws on illicit drugs.
Major Functions and Responsibilities of NDLEA
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has several major functions and responsibilities, including the following:
- Enforce laws against drug abuse and trafficking. They work to curb the demand and supply of narcotics like cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and psychotropic substances.
- Provide counselling and rehabilitation for drug-dependent persons. The NDLEA helps drug users break free from addiction and reintegrate into society through treatment and support programs.
- Conduct research into the causes, effects, and trends of drug abuse with the aim of improving strategies to eliminate the scourge. The agency gathers data and analyzes information to better understand Nigeria’s drug problem.
- Conduct drug tests as part of their operations. They test suspected drug traffickers and users as well as conduct workplace drug testing on request.
- Conduct raids and make arrests. The NDLEA routinely carries out operations to bust drug dealers and traffickers, confiscating drugs and apprehending suspects.
- Investigate drug-related crimes. The agency looks into illegal drug activity and works to dismantle drug cartels and syndicates operating in Nigeria.
- Educate the public on drug abuse. The agency spreads awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and addiction through campaigns, seminars, and other initiatives aimed at prevention.
- Enforce drug laws at borders and ports. The NDLEA monitors Nigeria’s borders and entry points to curb the smuggling of illicit drugs into and out of the country.
- Prosecute drug offenders. The NDLEA prosecutes those accused of violating Nigeria’s drug laws in court.
- Strengthen international cooperation in the campaign against drug trafficking and abuse. The NDLEA works with similar agencies across the world to curb the transnational flow of narcotics.
With a presence in all 36 states, the NDLEA is determined to make Nigeria a drug-free nation. But they can’t do it alone; every citizen has a role to play to overcome this menace.
NDLEA Strategies for Fighting Drug Trafficking and Abuse in Nigeria
To effectively fight drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria, NDLEA employs several key strategies:
Aggressive Drug Supply Reduction
NDLEA uses intelligence to conduct raids on suspected drug trafficking locations like airports, seaports, and major highways. The agency destroys any illicit drugs seized during these operations to cut off supply.
Demand Reduction through Awareness
NDLEA educates the public, especially youth, about the dangers of drug abuse through awareness campaigns, seminars, and the media. The goal is to discourage people from using drugs in the first place.
Rehabilitation of Drug Users
NDLEA operates rehabilitation centres across Nigeria to help drug abusers recover and become productive members of society again. Counselling and skills acquisition programs are part of the rehabilitation process.
International Cooperation
NDLEA works with international law enforcement agencies like INTERPOL and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime to curb cross-border drug trafficking. Information sharing and joint operations have led to the arrests of major drug barons.
Prosecution of Offenders
NDLEA investigates and prosecutes suspected drug traffickers and barons in court to bring them to justice, in line with the NDLEA Act. Stiff penalties like long jail terms and asset forfeiture deter others from the illicit drug trade.
Research and Documentation
NDLEA researches trends in drug trafficking and abuse to develop effective strategies. The agency also maintains records and statistics on arrests, seizures, prosecutions, convictions, and rehabilitations.
Staff Training
NDLEA regularly trains its staff on the latest counter-narcotics techniques, border patrol, intelligence gathering, and drug identification to enhance their skills and professionalism.
NDLEA Organizational Structure and Leadership
The NDLEA is divided into 14 directorates, 14 zonal commands, 111 state area commands, and 10 Special (airports and seaports) commands. They have a presence in all of the country’s airports, seaports, border posts, and strategic places throughout the country’s road networks.
The directorates include:
- Directorate of Intelligence
- Directorate of Media & Advocacy
- Directorate of Asset and Financial Investigation
- Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services
- Directorate of Drug Demand Reduction
- Directorate of Operation and General Investigation
- Directorate of Training and Manpower Development
The NDLEA has a clear organizational structure to effectively carry out its functions.
Chairman/Chief Executive
The Chairman, who also serves as the Chief Executive, oversees the day-to-day activities of the NDLEA. He is appointed by the President of Nigeria.
Agency Secretary
According to the NDLEA enabling Act, CAP N30 LFN 2004, the Secretary shall be appointed by the President and shall be the head of the Agency’s Secretariat, charged with administrative tasks, bookkeeping, agenda planning, and decision implementation.
Directors
There are several Directorates under the Chairman, each focused on key areas like Operations and general investigation, legal services, financial investigation, etc. The Directors head each Directorate.
Zonal Commanders
For administrative purposes, the NDLEA has divided Nigeria into 14 zones. Each zone is headed by a Zonal Commander who supervises State Area Commanders.
State Area Commanders
Each state in Nigeria has an NDLEA State area Command headed by a State Commander. The State Commanders are responsible for overseeing NDLEA operations and activities within their state.
This organizational structure and leadership hierarchy helps the NDLEA work effectively across Nigeria to enforce laws against drug trafficking and abuse. The Chairman and Directors provide strategic leadership, while junior officers execute tactical operations.
Who is the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA? A Brief Biography
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa CON; he is a retired Nigerian army brigadier general. Marwa was born on 9th September 1953 in Kaduna, Nigeria. He was appointed as the Chairman and chief executive officer of NDLEA by President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021.
Brig. Gen. Marwa is a seasoned administrator and reformist. Prior to his appointment as the Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, he served as the Governor of Lagos State from 1996 to 1999 under General Sani Abacha and Abdulsalami Abubakar’s military regimes and as Governor of Borno State from 1990 to 1992 under General Ibrahim Babangida’s military dictatorship.
The NDLEA Boss completed his primary school education across Nigeria at Enugu, Zaria, Abeokuta, and Lagos (1960-1965) and then moved on to the Nigerian Military School (NMS) in Zaria (1966-1970). Following that, he finished regular combatant training at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and was commissioned into the Nigeria Army Recce Corps (NARC) in June 1973. General Marwa holds two postgraduate degrees: a Master of Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh (1983-85) and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard (1985-86).
His additional credentials include degrees in International Security Studies, Leadership and Organizational Innovation, and Project Planning and Evaluation (PPE). Brig. Gen. Marwa has pledged to reposition NDLEA into a well-motivated, disciplined, and professional anti-drug agency through the provision of necessary work tools, training and incentives for officers and men.
Under Brig. Gen. Marwa’s leadership, the NDLEA, has renewed its offensive action against drug cartels in the country, leading to the arrest of drug barons and the seizure of illicit drugs worth billions of naira. His vision is to make Nigeria a drug-free country by reducing drug abuse and trafficking to the barest minimum.
List of all Chairman/Chief Executive Officers of NDLEA from its Establishment To Date
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was established in 1989. Since then the agency officially started Operations in January 1990. NDLEA has been headed by several Chairman and Chief Executive Officers.
- DIG Fidelis Oyakhilome, mni, served from 12th January 1990 to 10th March 1991.
- CP Fulani Kwajafa (Rtd) served from 10th March 1991 to 25th October 1993.
- AIG Bappa Jama’are, mni served from 15th October 1993 to 13th February 1994.
- Maj. Gen. Musa Bamaiyi, mni, served from 26th April 1994 to 23rd December 1998.
- AIG. Ogbonnaya Onovo served the agency from 23rd December 1998 to 3rd May 2000.
- AIG. Iliya Lokadang, mni served from 3rd May 2000 to 4th September 2000
- Bello Yusuf Lafiaji, OON, OFR, served from 10th October 2000 to 24th November 2005.
- CP Ahmed Glade (Rtd) served from 24th November 2005 to 22nd November 2015
- Col. Muhammed M. Abdallah (Rtd) served from 11th January, 2016 to 15th January, 2021
- Brig Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has been the agency’s Chairman and Chief executive officer from 15th January 2021 till date.
The agency has gone through several leadership changes over the years in an effort to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking and abuse. Each Chairman/CEO has contributed to the progress and success of the NDLEA during their time of leadership.
NDLEA Contact Information
The NDLEA has several ways for you to contact them directly.
NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja
Address: No 6, Port Harcourt Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
Phone: +234-80010203040
Calling is best for urgent matters or quick questions.
By Email
For general inquiries, you can email the NDLEA at info@ndlea.gov.ng. You can also email local state commands directly. Email is useful if you have a more complex query or need to provide additional details and documentation.
Via the Website
The official NDLEA website, www.ndlea.gov.ng, has an online contact form you can use to send the agency a message. Submit details about your query or complaint and your contact information. An NDLEA representative will respond to you directly. Using the website is convenient if you want to outline your question or issue in writing.
In Person
You can visit NDLEA headquarters or your local state command in person. Speaking to an agent directly is best for sensitive matters or if you have a private concern to report. Visit the NDLEA website to find the address and office hours of your nearest location.
The NDLEA aims to be transparent and accessible. Don’t hesitate to reach out through any of these means with your questions, comments or concerns regarding their operations and initiatives.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the full meaning and major functions of NDLEA. An agency tasked with eliminating the cultivation, processing, manufacture, sale, trafficking and use of hard drugs in Nigeria. Their work is crucial but often dangerous as they go after powerful criminal organizations and cartels. Next time you see those NDLEA officers conducting raids or making arrests, you’ll have a better understanding of their role and mission.
Though the war on drugs is complex, with many challenges, the NDLEA continues to work hard each day to make progress and help create a drug-free society.