The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested 77,792 drug offenders and seized 14,847 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs over the past five years.
The agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this on Tuesday at the NDLEA Commands, Awards and Commendations ceremony, where outstanding commands and personnel were honored for their performance in the past year.
Marwa said the seizures significantly disrupted local and transnational drug trafficking networks, sending a strong signal that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for illicit drug activities. He added that 128 identified drug barons who played central roles in major trafficking operations across the country were arrested during the period, attributing the achievements to reforms aimed at repositioning the agency for effective service delivery.
According to him, the NDLEA also secured 14,225 convictions, strengthening deterrence and reinforcing the consequences of drug-related crimes.
“In the last five years, we recorded significant operational successes, including the arrest of 77,792 drug offenders, among them 128 identified drug barons who were central to major trafficking networks,” Marwa said. “We seized a total of 14,847,000 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs, thereby disrupting both local and transnational supply chains. We also prosecuted and secured convictions against 14,225 offenders.”
Beyond enforcement, Marwa said the agency intensified efforts to reduce drug demand, noting that 32,442 drug users benefited from counseling, treatment and rehabilitation programs nationwide. He added that the NDLEA conducted 13,735 sensitization activities under its War Against Drug Abuse campaign across schools, markets, motor parks, workplaces, worship centers and communities.
Marwa attributed the successes to improved intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, capacity building, enhanced welfare for officers and sustained motivation through internal reward mechanisms.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for extending his tenure for another five years, describing the move as a call for greater commitment in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
The NDLEA chairman assured Nigerians that the agency would intensify operations during his new tenure, vowing that there would be no respite for drug barons, traffickers or couriers.
“There is no room for complacency,” he said. “We will remain proactive, intelligence-led and relentless in our pursuit of those who seek to destroy our youth and national security. Our objective remains the total disruption of drug trafficking and the protection of our communities.”