Ribadu: FG won’t relent in fight against illicit drugs — substance abuse fuels insecurity

Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), says the federal government is prioritising the fight against illicit drugs due to its far-reaching impact on national security and the wellbeing of citizens.

Ribadu spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during an inter-agency meeting.

Ribadu linked the use of illicit substances—especially among young people—to rising insecurity, noting that many terrorists are often serial abusers of narcotics.

This, he noted, fuels criminality and undermines national stability.

Ribadu said the government remains committed to supporting the ongoing inter-agency operation targeting illegal and counterfeit pharmaceuticals.

He stressed that the goal is to rid the country of dangerous substances that harm society.

The NSA explained that the initiative goes beyond law enforcement, adding that it as a long-term public health intervention with serious implications for national security.

He praised the discipline and collaboration shown by participating agencies, saying the success of the operation highlights what Nigerian institutions can achieve through joint action.

Ribadu also warned dealers in illicit substances that it would no longer be business as usual and assured that the government would continue to back the fight until meaningful progress is made.

“There are good Nigerians working to make the society better,” he said. “What was achieved by the committee is a testament to that,” he said.

He also urged members of staff of the agencies to sustain the momentum. “Keep putting in your best to ensure we succeed in this critical fight,” he added.

The operation was coordinated by the office of the NSA (ONSA), in partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Mojisola Adeyeye, director-general of NAFDAC, disclosed that 207 containers of illicit and counterfeit drugs have been intercepted and destroyed so far through this joint effort.

She credited the NSA’s direct involvement with speeding up responses and bridging enforcement gaps across the agencies.

“If not for the swift intervention of the NSA,” she said, “these drugs might have ended up in markets and led to the deaths of many women and young people.”

Adewale Adeniyi, comptroller-general of customs, described the scale of the operation as unprecedented, noting that it demonstrates the impact of coordinated institutional action.

Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, also praised the NSA’s leadership and budgetary support, which he said enabled major seizures and disrupted criminal drug networks.

At the Abuja meeting, the NDLEA presented a certificate of destruction to Ribadu, recognising his role in coordinating the initiative.