The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has unveiled two newly established forensic laboratories in Abuja and Enugu, along with a major upgrade to its long-standing facility in Lagos, in a bid to strengthen drug-related prosecutions across Nigeria.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), made the announcement on Monday through a statement released by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi.
Marwa revealed that for more than 25 years, the agency relied on a single forensic laboratory located in Lagos. However, with the recent increase in drug seizures and a growing need for timely analysis, the agency deemed it necessary to expand its forensic capacity.
The newly constructed labs in Abuja and Enugu are equipped with modern analytical tools and adhere to international safety and quality standards. According to Marwa, these labs will not only boost the agency’s forensic analysis capacity but also speed up the processing of drug-related cases and improve the reliability of evidence presented in court.
“The new facilities are a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to combat substance abuse and drug trafficking in Nigeria,” he stated.
Marwa also noted that the Lagos laboratory has been extensively refurbished and now operates as a state-of-the-art forensic center.
The expansion project was made possible with support from the US International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
In partnership with the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN), NDLEA has also trained and certified 20 forensic analysts, empowering them to independently validate drug test results.
“These analysts are now equipped to sign off on reports, which is critical to our forensic credibility,” Marwa said.
He further highlighted the agency’s participation in three rounds of the UNODC’s International Collaborative Exercise (ICE), a global quality assurance program aimed at improving accuracy and reliability in forensic testing.
As part of the partnership, the INL recently donated an advanced spectroscopy device to the Lagos forensic lab, enhancing its capacity to detect and analyze new and emerging substances.
The device was officially handed over by INL Nigeria Director, Ms. Candace Spradley, who praised the agency’s progress and collaborative efforts.
Marwa concluded by commending the agency’s forensic and chemical monitoring teams for helping overcome a long-standing limitation. He reaffirmed the NDLEA’s dedication to strengthening forensic capacity, tackling new psychoactive substances (NPS), and supporting accurate and science-based prosecution of drug cases.