HURIWA HAILS TINUBU, FAGBEMI, MARWA OVER NDLEA REFORM BILL, URGES NASS TO FAST-TRACK PASSAGE

By Olayiwola Ibrahim // The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for transmitting the proposed National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Bill 2026 to the National Assembly, describing the initiative as a major step towards strengthening Nigeria’s fight against illicit drugs and drug trafficking cartels.

HURIWA also commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), for advancing the proposed legal reforms and praised the Chairman of the NDLEA, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), for demonstrating purposeful and charismatic leadership in the agency’s campaign against drug barons and trafficking networks.

In a press statement issued on Monday, the rights group said the proposed legislation offers Nigeria an opportunity to strengthen the NDLEA’s institutional capacity, expand its legal powers and equip the agency to confront suspected drug traffickers more effectively.

The association noted that drug barons and trafficking cartels pose a serious threat to public safety, national security and the future of Nigerian youths, adding that the Federal Government must strengthen the legal and institutional framework required to dismantle their networks.

HURIWA further noted that the proposed review of the existing NDLEA Act and the Indian Hemp Act could address gaps in the country’s drug-control laws and provide a more consolidated framework for enforcing drug-related offences.

The rights group urged the Senate and the House of Representatives to treat the NDLEA Bill 2026 as a matter of urgent national importance and expedite its consideration and passage, stressing that the National Assembly must not allow unnecessary delays to weaken the momentum generated by the President’s legislative initiative.

The association called on lawmakers across party lines to support the proposed reform and create a stronger legal foundation for the NDLEA to investigate suspected drug-related crimes, disrupt trafficking networks and bring offenders to justice in accordance with the law.

HURIWA commends President Tinubu for taking this important legislative step, praises the Attorney-General of the Federation for supporting the legal reform process, and applauds Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa for his leadership in the fight against illicit drugs.

We urge the National Assembly to act swiftly, pass the bill and enable the President to assent to it.

Nigeria cannot afford to leave its anti-drug enforcement institutions without the strongest practical legal framework necessary to confront powerful drug barons and trafficking cartels, the statement added.

HURIWA stressed that stronger laws must go hand in hand with adequate funding, modern investigative equipment, effective inter-agency cooperation and strict respect for due process and fundamental human rights.

It also urged the Federal Government to sustain public education, drug-prevention programmes, treatment and rehabilitation services to complement enforcement efforts, maintaining that the proposed reform should produce tangible results, including stronger action against trafficking networks, improved enforcement and better protection for young Nigerians from the dangers of illicit substances.