Illicit Drugs: Alaafin Assures NDLEA of Full Support During Visit to Marwa

His Imperial Majesty Oba Abimbola Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo, has promised Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), the Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), cooperation and support in his renewed mandate to combat drug abuse and illegal drug trafficking in the nation.

On Friday, December 12, 2025, the esteemed traditional ruler led two other royal fathers, Oloro of Oro (Oba Joel Olaniyan Olatoye) and Olusin of Ijara Isin (Oba Ademola Julius Ajibola), on a courtesy visit to Marwa at the Agency’s national headquarters in Abuja. He expressed pride in Marwa’s development as Yoruba land’s Atunluse.

“To be kind with you, we are proud of you,” he said. It is not by accident that you are in this position right now; rather, it is a result of your dedication and passion. You have this friendly personality. You have always been a performer, which is why you are able to rule Lagos State and Borno. The legacy of Keke Marwa that you brought to Nigeria is another aspect of you that I will never forget.

In direct response to the NDLEA boss’s request that traditional leaders back the nation’s continued efforts to combat drug usage, the Alaafin pledged to mobilize his compatriots to collaborate with the agency.

“I’ve heard your message, and some of my colleagues here as well as some of my other traditional rulers agree; we are prepared to work with you. I must admit that we are close to the locals and at the grassroots level. We have extensive knowledge of the situation. I’m taking this chance to let you know that we’re prepared. We are more than willing to work with you and to provide you all the required sup­port to make sure that you are successful in this position. Oba Owoade said, “We can assure you that we will always be there for you whenever you need us.”

Marwa welcomed Alaafin and congratulated him on taking his ancestors’ reign. He accused him and other traditional leaders nationwide of using their local clout to collaborate with NDLEA in the fight against drug usage.

According to him, “nearly 15 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 use drugs, according to the 2018 drug use survey report, and the drug scourge in Nigeria is at an unacceptable limit.” It’s a serious issue, and President Tinubu has ordered us to take action, combat the drug epidemic, apprehend and punish the traffickers, and seize their assets. Additionally, because traditional institutions are so vital, we would like to call on them for this duty.

The traditional institutions are respected by Nigerians. No matter who you are in Nigeria, you are from somewhere. And you honor the local leader when you return to that location. Therefore, the traditional leader’s words have weight. We also urge traditional authorities to actively advocate against drug usage by interacting with the religious leaders in charge of the churches and mosques within their respective domains. The NDLEA is always ready to collaborate with conventional institutions.