Marwa receives Alaafin, secures royal backing for anti-drug campaign

Stanley Ihedigbo

Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has pledged his support and collaboration to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), as the agency intensifies efforts to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across Nigeria.

According to the Director of Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Femi Babafemi, the revered traditional ruler made the pledge while leading two other royal fathers—Oloro of Oro, Oba Joel Olaniyan Olatoye, and Olusin of Ijara Isin, Oba Ademola Julius Ajibola—on a courtesy visit to Marwa at the Agency’s national headquarters in Abuja on Friday, December 12, 2025. Babafemi noted that the Alaafin expressed pride in Marwa’s remarkable trajectory as Atunluse of Yoruba land.

The Alaafin said, “To be kind to you, we are proud of you. Your being in this position at the moment is not by chance; it is because of your devotion and commitment. You have an amiable character. That’s why you were able to govern Borno and Lagos States and have always been a performer. Another thing I cannot forget about you is the legacy of Keke Marwa that you brought to Nigeria.”

Responding to the NDLEA boss’s call for traditional rulers to support ongoing efforts against drug abuse, the Alaafin assured his readiness to mobilize his colleagues to work with the Agency.

“I’ve heard your message, and along with some of my colleagues here and other traditional rulers, we are ready to collaborate with you. We are at the grassroots, close to the community people, and we know a lot about what is happening. I want to tell you that we are ready—more than ready—to work with you and provide all the necessary support to ensure your success. Anytime you need us, we will always be there for you,” Oba Owoade stated.

In his welcome remarks, Marwa congratulated the Alaafin for ascending the throne of his forefathers and urged him and other traditional rulers across the country to leverage their local influence to work with NDLEA in stamping out substance abuse in communities.

He said, “The drug scourge in Nigeria has reached an unacceptable level. According to the 2018 drug use survey, close to 15 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 use drugs. This is a big problem, and we have been mandated by President Tinubu to fight this scourge: arrest offenders, prosecute them, and seize the assets of traffickers. On this assignment, we call on traditional institutions because they are crucial.

“Nigerians respect traditional institutions. No matter who you are in Nigeria, you trace your roots back to a community, and when you return, you pay homage to the community leader. When a traditional leader speaks, it carries weight. We also urge traditional leaders to engage religious leaders in their domains—churches and mosques—to carry out serious advocacy against drug use. The NDLEA is always ready to work with traditional institutions.”

Marwa added that the Agency values information from traditional rulers about drug dealers in local communities, given the risks posed to youths and families. “We truly appreciate this collaboration. Controlling drug use will also help reduce criminal activities because many kidnappers, insurgents, terrorists, and bandits use drugs to energize and motivate themselves,” he explained.

He expressed gratitude to the Alaafin for the visit and wished him a long, successful reign marked by good health, peace, development, and prosperity throughout the Oyo Kingdom.