The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), has urged traditional rulers and community leaders across Nigeria to thoroughly screen individuals seeking to acquire farmlands in rural communities to prevent drug cartels from establishing clandestine drug laboratories.
Marwa made the appeal following the recent discovery of industrial-scale clandestine methamphetamine laboratories allegedly operated by a Nigerian-Mexican drug cartel in the forests of Ogun and Oyo states.
He spoke during the 10th Akinale Day celebration and the first coronation anniversary of the Towulade of Owu Akinale, Oba Oluseyi Adediran, according to a statement issued by NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi.
The NDLEA chairman urged traditional rulers to pay close attention to the activities of strangers within their communities, particularly in rural and forested areas.
“Royal fathers and community leaders in the South-West and the country as a whole must pay attention to activities of strangers in their forests. Also, those seeking to buy farmlands in rural communities must be properly vetted,” he said.
Marwa warned that criminal syndicates increasingly exploit isolated communities to establish illegal drug production facilities and called for stronger collaboration between local communities and security agencies.
He also appealed to parents, traditional institutions and community leaders to work with the NDLEA in tackling substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
According to him, drug abuse cuts across all segments of society, making it important for parents to monitor their children and identify early signs of substance abuse.
Marwa urged young Nigerians to reject illicit drugs, describing substance abuse as a false escape that only deepens personal and societal challenges.
He further encouraged the royal council and community leaders in Owu Akinale to establish grassroots advocacy networks that would discourage drug trafficking, support individuals battling addiction and make communities hostile to criminal drug syndicates.
The NDLEA boss stressed that the fight against illicit drugs cannot be won by law enforcement agencies alone, noting that traditional institutions remain critical partners in promoting awareness and protecting communities.
