The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is working with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to introduce drug testing for commercial vehicle drivers as part of efforts to reduce road accidents linked to substance abuse.
NDLEA Chairman, retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, disclosed this on Thursday, November 5, 2026, during a stakeholder meeting on drug abuse held in Benin City, Edo State.
Marwa expressed concern over the growing use of drugs among commercial drivers, noting that some take substances to remain awake and make more trips in a bid to increase their earnings.
He warned that drug use could impair drivers’ judgement, cause confusion and increase the risk of road accidents, putting passengers and other road users at risk.
The NDLEA chairman also called on transport unions to enforce a ban on alcohol and drug consumption in motor parks, adding that transport workers in Edo State had pledged their cooperation.
Marwa further renewed his call for mandatory drug tests for couples intending to get married, alongside HIV and genotype screening. He recommended that individuals who test positive should undergo rehabilitation and obtain negative results before proceeding with their weddings.
He urged government agencies, families, schools, religious institutions, transport unions and the media to work together in tackling substance abuse.
The NDLEA chairman disclosed that the agency had arrested over 1,200 suspects and seized more than 30 tonnes of illicit drugs in Edo State. He also put the prevalence of drug use among people aged 15 to 64 in the state at approximately 15 per cent.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the stakeholder meeting was aimed at strengthening intelligence sharing, public awareness, prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation efforts.
Edesili Okpebholo-Anani, coordinator of the Edo Governor’s Wife’s Office and chairperson of the state drug control committee, described substance abuse as a growing threat to families and communities.
Marwa also called for tougher penalties for drug-related offences, disclosing that a proposed amendment to the NDLEA Act, which had passed second reading at the National Assembly, seeks to introduce prison terms of 15 to 25 years without the option of a fine.
