NDLEA Arrests 77,792 Suspects, Secures 14,225 Convictions In Five Years
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), said that the agency has arrested 77,792 suspects, including 128 drug barons, and seized over 14.8 million kilograms of illicit drugs in the past five years.
Making the disclosure in Abuja during the 11th Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CCEO) Awards and Commendation Ceremony held at the agency’s national headquarters on Tuesday, the anti-narcotics czar noted that with the arrests and seizures, Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for drug traffickers.
He also revealed that the NDLEA secured 14,225 convictions within the period, marking a major boost to the country’s drug control and criminal justice efforts.
According to him, the agency’s sustained offensive has significantly disrupted both local and transnational drug trafficking networks, while reinforcing deterrence against illicit drug activities.
“When I assumed office in 2021, I pledged to take the fight to the doorsteps of the merchants of death. Today, the numbers speak for themselves. Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for illicit drug enterprises,” Marwa said.
He explained that beyond enforcement, the NDLEA has maintained a balanced approach by prioritising drug demand reduction. Over the five-year period, 32,442 drug users received treatment, counselling and rehabilitation, while 13,735 sensitisation activities were conducted nationwide under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.
Maria attributed the achievements to discipline, intelligence-led operations and institutional support, expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued backing and the extension of the current leadership’s tenure.
“The President’s confidence in this leadership is a call to escalate the war against drug abuse and trafficking. The successes recorded so far are only the foundation. In this second tenure, we will raise the bar even higher,” he said.
He charged officers and men of the agency to prepare for more tactically sophisticated operations against drug cartels, barons and couriers, warning that there would be no room for complacency.
“We will not rest until every drug baron is behind bars, every trafficker is intercepted, and every gram of illicit drugs is removed from our communities,” Marwa added.
At the ceremony, 166 NDLEA personnel and 17 commands were honoured for exceptional performance, courage and integrity. Marwa urged the award recipients to see the recognition as motivation for greater commitment, while encouraging other officers to draw inspiration from their achievements.
He also acknowledged the contributions of international partners, sister security agencies, civil society organisations and the media, calling for deeper collaboration to safeguard the future of Nigerian children and communities.
