The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has re-emphasized calls for strategic partners with media practitioners to fight against drug abuse, warning that the country remains at the centre of a growing drug crisis that requires urgent and collective action.

Marwa, who was represented by Mrs. Rita Geh, a Deputy Director in the agency, made the remarks while delivering a keynote address at the Media Capacity Building Programme organized by the Nigerian Online Media Alliance (NOMA), in Lagos, to commemorate the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The event, which brought together journalists, public health experts, anti-drug advocates, policymakers, and stakeholders to examine the role of the media in preventing substance abuse and promoting advocacy, was held at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba on Thursday 25th June, 2026, and themed: “Responsible Media, Drug-Free Nigeria: The Journalist’s Role in Prevention and Advocacy.”

The NDLEA boss described media professionals as “shapers of perception, architects of public opinion, and indispensable partners in national development,” emphasizing that the fight against drug abuse cannot be won through law enforcement alone.

According to him, Africa faces a particularly alarming drug challenge, with projections indicating that drug use on the continent could increase by as much as 40 per cent by 2030, compared to a relatively modest rise globally.

“Nigeria, by virtue of its population and strategic position, sits at the centre of this challenge. The 2018 national drug use survey showed that 14.4 per cent of Nigerians use drugs, compared to the global average of 5.6 per cent. This is not a statistic we can afford to ignore,” he said.

Marwa stressed that while enforcement remains a critical component of the anti-drug campaign, sustainable success depends on prevention, education, advocacy, and community involvement.

He noted that under his leadership, the NDLEA has adopted a balanced strategy that combines supply reduction with demand reduction efforts.

Highlighting the agency’s achievements, Marwa disclosed that the NDLEA has recorded more than 77,859 arrests, secured over 14,122 convictions, and seized in excess of 15 million kilograms of illicit substances across the country in recent years.

He further revealed that within the first ten months of 2025 alone, the agency made over 19,000 arrests, secured approximately 3,000 convictions, confiscated millions of kilograms of narcotics, and destroyed large cannabis plantations nationwide.

“These figures represent more than statistics. Behind every arrest, conviction, and seizure are lives saved, families protected, and communities made safer,” he said.

According to the NDLEA chairman, the agency’s operations have also disrupted criminal supply chains and weakened financial networks linked to organized crime and terrorism.

Despite these achievements, Marwa maintained that reducing the demand for drugs remains the ultimate solution to the problem.

“It is in the area of demand reduction that the role of the media becomes indispensable. The narratives journalists create, the stories they choose to tell, and the information they disseminate influence the choices people make, particularly young people,” he said.

The retired military officer urged journalists to prioritize responsible reporting by emphasizing accuracy over sensationalism and public education over entertainment.

He challenged media practitioners to use their platforms to educate the public on the dangers of substance abuse while highlighting stories of recovery, resilience, and rehabilitation.

According to him, reporting that focuses solely on criminality and punishment can reinforce stigma, discourage treatment-seeking behaviour, and undermine prevention efforts.

“Responsible media practice means going beyond headlines. It means helping people understand the realities of drug abuse, promoting evidence-based information, and showing that recovery is possible,” Marwa stated.

He also emphasized the media’s watchdog role, encouraging journalists to hold institutions accountable while fostering informed public discourse around drug policy, prevention, and public health interventions.

The NDLEA chairman described the programme’s broader focus on community involvement, media advocacy, and self-consciousness as central to achieving a drug-free society.

“This fight begins with the individual, gains strength from the community, and reaches its widest impact through the media. When these three forces work together, the results can be transformative,” he said.

Marwa called on journalists to actively support national anti-drug campaigns by countering misinformation, promoting healthy lifestyles, and amplifying prevention messages targeted at young people.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to transparency, professionalism, and collaboration with the media, noting that regular engagement remains essential for public awareness and advocacy.

The NDLEA chairman also highlighted the agency’s ongoing investments in prevention programmes, including school-based sensitization campaigns, community outreach initiatives, rehabilitation services, and the nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.

According to him, millions of Nigerians, particularly young people, have already been reached through these interventions.

He further stressed the importance of community participation, urging parents, teachers, religious leaders, and community influencers to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting young people from substance abuse.

“Early education, open conversations, and supportive environments remain our strongest defences against drug abuse. A drug-free Nigeria cannot be achieved without active community involvement and personal responsibility,” he said.

Expressing optimism about the future, Marwa noted that a drug-free Nigeria remains an achievable goal if stakeholders sustain their commitment and continue to work together.

“The vision of a drug-free Nigeria is not a distant dream. It is achievable through commitment, consistency, and collective action. Together, we can build a nation where young people make informed choices and where communities remain safe, productive, and free from the scourge of drugs,” he concluded.

Residents of Lagos have taken to the internet to express their frustrations as floodwater take over different parts of the State.

Unceasing rainfall since on Sunday has caused many households displaced, while schools and workplaces have been temporarily shut.

Commenting on the development in an X post Tuesday, a governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour wrote: “The flooding we are witnessing across Lagos is yet another reminder that waste management, stormwater drainage, and urban planning are inseparable. You cannot neglect one and expect the others to function effectively…

“Despite repeated promises, the city continues to flood year after year, with no comprehensive drainage strategy or innovative approach to building a climate-resilient Lagos…

“Sadly, poorly regulated sand filling, unchecked development, the destruction of wetlands, and weak urban planning have displaced several vulnerable communities and exposed millions of residents to damaged homes, ruined vehicles, lost businesses, and reduced productivity. “

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier forecast that 2026 would witness above-normal rainfall, with Lagos expected to experience a greater impact due to its coastal geography and low-lying terrain.

Writing on X, @abazwhyllzz wrote: “Lagos residents are going through a lot this rainy season.”

@Morris_Monye shared a video and added: “Just look at the flooding going on round Lagos. My goodness. If a toddler falls down here, it’s finished.”

@Accoid commented: “I was so early into that Ikorodu road flood yesterday, I quickly maneuvered my way into ilupeju where I saw line up of Mercedes Benz all parked, I turned around inward town planning towards Onipanu, that was how I escaped that Ikorodu road flooding stress.

“At Kayode onipanu, I saw flood layered with heap of waste caused mostly by road side vendors.

“Lagos people, stop selling by the road side, you’re causing traffic and also clogging the gutters!

“By the time I joined Ikorodu Road from Onipanu, not a single car on the highway, every human driving from Anthony, Obanikoro was stuck behind.”

@Vibesznnz disagreed that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway under construction was the cause of the flooding: “The coastal road is not the cause of the flooding in Lagos. Eko Atlantic, which is close to the road, is not flooded. So how can areas far away be flooded and people blame the road? That logic doesn’t add up.”

Also, @e_galoti wrote, “The Lagos flood situation is crazy. It used to seem like a joke when people talked about using canoe during the rainy season. Now it’s looking real.”

The Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said on X on Monday, while commenting on the suggestion that roadside vendors should be stopped to protect drainage, that Lagosians must take responsibility.

He said: “As a government, we have continued to intensify efforts to mitigate the impact of flooding through the clearing of drainage channels, enforcement against illegal developments obstructing waterways, and other proactive interventions. At the same time, we appeal to all Lagosians to play their part by refraining from indiscriminate waste disposal, illegal dumping, and other activities that obstruct the free flow of storm-water.

“Given NiMet’s forecast, the risks associated with heavy rainfall remain significant. Government will continue to do its part, but safeguarding lives and property also requires the cooperation and collective responsibility of every resident.”

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced its 2026 recruitment exercise for qualified Nigerians seeking to join the agency.

According to the Corps, the online application portal will open on Friday, July 3, 2026, and applications will remain open for four weeks.

The recruitment exercise is completely free, and applicants have been advised to submit their applications only through the official FRSC recruitment portal while avoiding fraudsters demanding payment.

Here are 15 requirements every applicant must meet before applying:

1. You must be a Nigerian by birth

Only Nigerians by birth are eligible to apply for the recruitment exercise.

2. Meet the required age limit

Applicants must fall within the age range specified for the cadre they are applying for.

3. Be computer literate

The FRSC requires applicants to possess basic computer skills.

4. Be medically, physically and mentally fit

Candidates must be certified fit to perform the duties of the Corps.

5. Applicants must be single

Only unmarried candidates are eligible to participate in the recruitment exercise.

6. Meet the minimum height requirement

Male applicants must be at least 1.65 metres tall, while female applicants must have a minimum height of 1.58 metres.

7. Have a valid professional licence where required

Applicants for professional positions such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists and lawyers must possess valid practising licences.

8. Be of good character

Candidates must have no criminal record and must not be financially indebted.

9. No tattoos allowed

The FRSC stated that applicants must not have tattoos on any part of their bodies.

10. Use a personal email address and phone number

Applicants are required to provide their personal and active email address and telephone number throughout the recruitment process.

11. Declare all qualifications

The Corps warned that all academic and professional qualifications must be declared during application, as undeclared certificates will not be recognised later for career progression.

12. Pregnant applicants are advised not to apply

The recruitment notice advised prospective applicants who are pregnant not to participate in the exercise.

13. Meet the educational qualification for your preferred cadre

Applicants must possess the required qualifications for the position they are applying for. These include SSCE, ND, NCE, HND, Bachelor’s degrees, MBBS, Law, Engineering, Nursing and other recognised qualifications, depending on the cadre

14. Drivers and artisans must have additional qualifications

Applicants applying as drivers, motorcycle riders or artisans must possess Trade Test Certificates or other relevant professional certificates. Drivers must also have the appropriate class of valid driver’s licence, while articulated and tow truck drivers must be between 26 and 40 years old.

15. Prepare all required documents

Applicants should have the following documents ready before applying:

• Birth Certificate or Declaration of Age
• National Identity Number (NIN)
• Educational certificates
• NYSC Discharge or Exemption Certificate (where applicable)
• Valid professional licence (for professional cadres)

• Trade Test Certificate (for artisans)
• Valid driver’s licence (where applicable)
• Medical fitness certificate from a government hospital
• Printed copy of the online application form for the screening exercise

The FRSC urged interested Nigerians to complete their applications within the four-week application window and warned members of the public not to pay anyone for employment, stressing that the recruitment process is free of charge.