NDLEA Lagos Commander Seeks Collaboration with Olofin of Isheri on War Against Drug Abuse

NDLEA Lagos Commander Seeks Collaboration with Olofin of Isheri on War Against Drug Abuse

The Lagos State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Commander Abubakar Liman Wali, on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, led a delegation of his management team on an advocacy and courtesy visit to the Olofin of Isheri, Oba (Engr.) Suleiman Adekunle Bamgbade Ayodele III, the Arole Olofin Ogunfuminire Adimula of Awori Land.

The visit, which took place at the monarch’s palace, was aimed at seeking royal blessings and exploring areas of collaboration and synergy in the ongoing War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign within the Awori kingdom.

Welcoming the delegation, Oba Bamgbade gave a brief history of the kingdom and raised concerns about the growing menace of drug trafficking and substance abuse in his domain. He noted that the Isheri axis, which borders Lagos and Ogun States, has increasingly become a transit hub for the distribution of illicit drugs to other parts of the country, largely due to the presence of multiple motor parks along the Berger corridor.

The monarch expressed worry over the impact of drug abuse on youths in the community and called for urgent intervention. He disclosed that he had previously visited the Chief Executive of NDLEA in Abuja to request a stronger federal presence, particularly the establishment of an NDLEA office in his domain, pledging his full support to the agency’s efforts.

In response, Commander Wali commended the monarch for his concern and assured him of the agency’s commitment under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.) CON. He stated that NDLEA was ready to establish formations in any community that shows willingness to cooperate and provide necessary support, including office accommodation.

During the interactive session, the Chairman of Isheri North Estates also appealed for an NDLEA presence in the community, citing the increasing vulnerability of children and young people to drug abuse.

The visit concluded with the Olofin directing the Isheri North Chairman to accompany the NDLEA team to inspect two proposed sites for the immediate take-off of NDLEA operations in the area.

Group photographs were later taken to mark the visit.

Signed:
ACN Mallum Musa
ASC, Media and Advocacy Officer to the State Commander