NDLEA Launches 2 New Labs After 25-Year Wait

NDLEA Launches 2 New Labs After 25-Year Wait

NDLEA, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency of Nigeria , after 25 years of struggling with limited forensic capacity, has finally received a powerful upgrade. The agency has unveiled two modern forensic laboratories in Abuja and Enugu, breaking its long-standing dependence on a single aging lab in Lagos.

This development brings fresh energy into Nigeria’s fight against drug abuse and trafficking. The new labs come equipped with advanced instruments designed to handle a growing wave of drug-related crimes. For many officers, this moment marks the beginning of a more hopeful chapter in NDLEA’s mission to protect the country from harmful substances.

Until now, the Lagos lab had been NDLEA’s only forensic unit. It handled thousands of cases every year, stretching its limits and slowing down court prosecutions. But now, with two new facilities up and running, things are changing fast.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retired), called the new labs a major leap forward. “These new laboratories will enhance our forensic analysis capabilities, increase our capacity to process cases more efficiently, and strengthen our overall operations,” he said at the inauguration event.

Marwa also confirmed that the old Lagos lab had undergone a complete transformation. It was not just renovated—it was modernized to meet global standards. Now, NDLEA has three operational forensic centers, forming a stronger backbone for its operations.

This achievement wasn’t made alone. The United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) funded the project. Implementation was carried out by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Through this collaboration, NDLEA also trained and certified 20 of its forensic analysts. The training was done in partnership with the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN). These certified professionals now have the authority to sign drug analysis reports, a responsibility that boosts the agency’s credibility and technical authority in court.

Each lab is now equipped with high-grade machines capable of conducting quick and accurate drug tests. The tools are designed to meet international standards and help reduce the chances of delayed or wrong reports. This means suspects will now face the law faster and more fairly.

The NDLEA has also introduced strict quality control measures to make sure results are always accurate. As part of this, the agency joined the UNODC’s International Collaborative Exercise (ICE). It has participated in three rounds of this program, which helps labs worldwide improve their testing skills and reliability.

Marwa praised the Directorate of Forensic and Chemical Monitoring, saying these breakthroughs were no accident. “This is a result of our deliberate efforts to modernize NDLEA’s forensic operations and respond effectively to the evolving threat of New Psychoactive Substances,” he said. These new substances are often hard to trace with older tools. But now, with better labs and stronger teams, NDLEA is better prepared.

The U.S. government also donated high-tech equipment to strengthen NDLEA’s new capabilities. One of the devices, a new spectroscopy machine, was handed over at the NDLEA annex in Ikoyi, Lagos. INL Director in Nigeria, Ms. Candace Spradley, led the American delegation.

Spradley praised the NDLEA for being a committed partner. “The donated equipment will significantly enhance the agency’s ability to detect and analyze illicit substances,” she said. Her statement showed how global cooperation is playing a key role in Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign.

NDLEA’s Director of Seaport Operations, DCGN Omolade Faboyede, received the equipment on behalf of the agency. Other top NDLEA officials were also present. They included Director of Forensic and Chemical Monitoring, ACGN Patricia Afolabi; Deputy Director of Media and Advocacy, ACGN Rita Geh Okpere; Head of Special Operations Unit, ACGN Akinola Idowu Grace; and Commander of Lagos State Strategic Command, CN Abubakar Liman Wali.

These leaders have seen firsthand the toll drug trafficking takes on the country. They know that upgrading tools alone isn’t enough—it takes skilled people, strong partnerships, and continuous investment to win the war on drugs.

The new forensic labs will allow NDLEA to build stronger cases against traffickers. They’ll also help reduce delays in court and give investigators faster answers. For victims of drug abuse, and for families torn apart by addiction, this is a step toward justice and healing.

As drug crime in Nigeria evolves, so must the systems built to stop it. With these three forensic labs now operational and a growing team of certified analysts, the NDLEA is no longer playing catch-up. It is stepping into the future with confidence.

And for the first time in 25 years, the agency now has the tools to match its mission.