Ex-NDLEA Boss, Fulani Kwajafa, Dies At 88

A former Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Fulani Kwajafa, OFR, Sarkin Yakin Biu has died at the age of 88 after a brief illness.

Kwajafa who died on October 23, 2024, and whose death was confirmed by a member of his family, was survived by his wife Patience Kwajafa and many children and grandchildren, amongst them is Nuhu Fulani Kwajafa, MFR, the Director General of the Global Initiative for Peace, Love and Care (GIPLC).

Kwajafa was born on December 22, 1936, to the family of the late Wakil Mtaku in Kwajafa Village, Hawul local government area of Borno State, and he completed his junior primary education in Kwajafa in 1953, while in 1954, began his career with the Nigeria Police Force as a constable (Dan Sanda).

Guided by determination and dedication to duty, he progressed through the ranks, catching the attention of the Colonial Police Administration.

He was subsequently selected to attend Mayflower College in London, UK, where he earned higher qualifications that would further his career and enrich his contributions to Nigerian law enforcement.

Kwajafa also rose through the ranks, achieving the position of Commissioner of Police in 1984, which was not only a personal milestone but also an exceptional achievement, setting him apart from many of his peers.

According to the information gathered, renowned as a specialist in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), he was instrumental in solving numerous high-profile cases across Nigeria.

His courage and unwavering dedication often led him into dangerous encounters with criminal elements, yet he persevered with distinction.

Kwajafa’s remarkable leadership and skill in addressing complex criminal cases earned him multiple awards and commendations, including the prestigious Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR). His reputation as an outstanding officer garnered both national and international recognition.

The family said that in 1991, Kwajafa was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), where he demonstrated his commitment to combating the rising wave of drug-related crimes.

Under his leadership, the agency achieved substantial progress in countering drug trafficking and disrupting the operations of drug cartels in Nigeria.

In 1992, he chaired the Financial Investigation Work Group at the 14th Meeting of Heads of National Drug Enforcement Agencies (HONLEA) for Africa in Abuja.

Later that year, he also participated in the Interpol Africa Workshop in Abuja and served as Vice Chairman of the 35th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna.

Kwajafa made history in 1993 when he was appointed Chairman of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (36th Session) in Vienna, becoming the first African to hold this esteemed position.

Throughout his career, Mr. Fulani Kwajafa has profoundly shaped Nigeria’s law enforcement landscape, leaving an enduring legacy of courage, integrity, and a commitment to justice.