The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its growing impact in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity, describing the agency as a critical force in addressing the country’s security challenges.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, July 30, 2026, the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the NDLEA has proven its effectiveness under the leadership of its Chairman/Chief Executive, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd), stressing that drug control remains central to curbing violent crimes across the country.
Akintola argued that there is a strong link between drug abuse and rising insecurity, noting that many terrorists, bandits and kidnappers operate under the influence of narcotics. He cited reports indicating that illicit drugs are often recovered from criminal hideouts, while arrested suspects frequently exhibit withdrawal symptoms during detention.
According to him, “Nigeria’s insecurity, to a large extent, is drug-induced,” adding that winning the war against drug abuse could significantly reduce violent crimes nationwide.
The group further highlighted the scale of insecurity in Nigeria, referencing data which shows that hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost and millions abducted in recent years. It also pointed to the growing number of out-of-school children, attributing the trend partly to persistent attacks on educational institutions.
MURIC praised the NDLEA’s recent achievements, including the busting of international drug cartels and the interception of large quantities of illicit substances across various regions of the country. It described the agency’s operations as unprecedented in scope and effectiveness over the past few years.
The organisation called on the Federal Government to provide the NDLEA with advanced technology and increased logistical support to strengthen its operations. It also urged state governments to align with the agency’s anti-drug campaign and take proactive measures to combat substance abuse at the grassroots level.
In addition, MURIC appealed to citizens to support the NDLEA with credible intelligence, while emphasizing the importance of inter-agency collaboration among security institutions to achieve lasting results.
The group warned that the devastating impact of drug cartels in countries such as Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador should serve as a cautionary example for Nigeria, stressing that failure to act decisively could further destabilise the nation.
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Reaffirming its advocacy role, MURIC noted that it has consistently supported efforts to curb drug abuse in Nigeria and will continue to push for policies that promote public safety, good governance and social stability.
The statement emphasizied renewed call on the Federal Government to prioritise the fight against illicit drugs, insisting that sustainable victory over insurgency and other forms of violent crime depends largely on reducing the influence of narcotics in society.
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