The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has officially relocated to its new headquarters in Jahi, Abuja.
The facility, which is still under development, represents the first phase of the agency’s national headquarters project and was inaugurated during an interdenominational service on Wednesday, November 26, 2024.
Chairman/CEO of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the move as a major milestone in the agency’s transformation into a modern, results-driven institution.
“I’m glad we have finally moved in to occupy this facility after initial budgetary constraints.
“Even though this is the first phase of the new headquarters project, we are hopeful that we will be able to complete the process with next year’s budget.
“This is not 100% completed but it is sufficiently functional for us to move in because I was determined to move in before the end of 2024 because with the expansion of the Agency, the headquarters also expanded, and in our old location we could not accommodate everyone.
“I have had to post scores of officers due to a lack of space for them to work.
“It was for this reason that the management took a unanimous decision that since it was not 100% ready and we needed it, we should make it a low-key inauguration ceremony.
“This will enable us to relocate some of our directorates still operating outside Abuja into one facility to consolidate our operations for efficiency, effectiveness and seamless coordination.”
“This is a phase in the recalibration of NDLEA, a process that began in January 2021,” Marwa stated.
He added that the old head office in Gimbiya, Garki area of the FCT will continue to serve as the headquarters annex.
Marwa expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support and encouragement, enabling the agency to fulfill its mandate.
He also acknowledged the contributions of international partners, the National Assembly, judiciary, and citizens.
“This support is not only a recognition of our efforts but a motivation to achieve more. I believe this new environment will inspire even greater achievements,” Marwa noted.
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He credited his predecessor for initiating the process of securing a befitting headquarters for the agency.
“This relocation marks a new era for NDLEA. Together, we must remain relentless in the fight against drug cartels,” Marwa urged the staff.
In his welcome remarks, the agency’s Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, commended Marwa for providing inspiring leadership that has in three years transformed NDLEA into the same class as its counterparts across the world in terms of professionalism, capability and capacity.
“The commissioning of our headquarters today is part of the incremental but well-laid agenda for the repositioning of the Agency by the chairman.
“We have witnessed some monumental achievements since 2021, including increasing the staff strength of the Agency from 5,000 to 15,000.
“Promotion of officers, opening up of vacancies, payment of accumulated allowances to staff and widows of our fallen officers, the recent amendment of the Agency’s enabling law by the National Assembly, and many more,” Haruna stated.
The event included Christian and Islamic prayers for President Tinubu and the nation. A commemorative plaque was also unveiled to mark the occasion.
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