By HeapNews
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has officially relocated its headquarters to a newly developed facility in the Jahi area of Abuja. The unveiling of the first phase of the national headquarters project was marked by a low-key interdenominational service on Wednesday, November 26, 2024.
Speaking at the ceremony, NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) described the move as a milestone in the agency’s transformation into a modern, results-driven anti-narcotics body. “This facility represents a significant phase in our ongoing recalibration process, which began in January 2021.
Despite budgetary constraints, I was determined to move in before the end of 2024 to accommodate our growing workforce and enhance operational efficiency,” he said.
Read Also: NDLEA Intensifies Anti-Drug Operations, Seizes Over N4.3 Billion Worth of Drugs in Nationwide Raids
Read Also: NDLEA Boss Urges Nigerian Elites to Join the Fight Against Drug Abuse
The new complex, although not fully completed, is sufficiently functional to consolidate key directorates and improve coordination. The previous headquarters in Gimbiya, Garki, will now serve as an annex.
Marwa expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support, which, along with contributions from international partners and stakeholders, has enabled the NDLEA to combat substance abuse and drug trafficking effectively. “This new environment will motivate us to surpass previous achievements,” Marwa noted.
In his remarks, NDLEA Secretary Shadrach Haruna praised Marwa’s leadership, highlighting achievements such as tripling the agency’s workforce from 5,000 to 15,000, paying long-overdue allowances, and securing amendments to the agency’s enabling laws.
The event included prayers for President Tinubu and Nigeria and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion. The final phase of the headquarters project is expected to be completed with the 2025 budget.