In a move shaking up decades of operational tradition, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has broken its long-standing reliance on a single forensic laboratory in Lagos by launching two new ultra-modern labs in Abuja and Enugu — a decision some insiders say could spark a power shift within the agency’s regional strongholds.
This strategic expansion, coupled with a major overhaul of the Lagos lab, marks the end of a 25-year status quo, responding to a surge in drug seizures that has overwhelmed the agency’s forensic capacity in recent months.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, announced the development in Abuja, emphasizing that the new labs are fully equipped with cutting-edge technology and meet rigorous safety and quality standards.
“These laboratories aren’t just about modernizing infrastructure,” Babafemi said. “They are about decentralizing power, accelerating case processing, and bringing justice closer to where it’s needed most.”
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), hailed the move as a game-changer in the agency’s fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
“With these new facilities, our forensic analysis capacity will grow significantly,” Marwa said. “We can now process evidence more swiftly, prosecute offenders more effectively, and expand our impact across multiple regions.”
The decision to branch out has raised eyebrows among stakeholders who have grown accustomed to the Lagos-centric model. But the agency insists the move is necessary to keep pace with the evolving landscape of drug crime in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Lagos laboratory — once the NDLEA’s sole forensic hub — has undergone a complete transformation, now boasting top-tier equipment and modern amenities to remain relevant in this new era of forensic enforcement.
