The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested no fewer than 77,792 drug suspects and seized about 14,847 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs across the country within the last five years.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa retd., disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the NDLEA Commands, Awards and Commendations Ceremony, where outstanding commands and personnel were honoured for their performance over the past year.
Marwa said the seizures and arrests dealt heavy blows to both local and transnational drug trafficking networks, stressing that the results sent a clear signal that Nigeria is no longer a safe environment for illicit drug operations.
According to him, the agency also arrested 128 identified drug barons who played key roles in major trafficking activities nationwide, describing the development as a major milestone in the fight against organised drug crime.
He said the achievements recorded over the period were driven by deliberate reforms aimed at repositioning the NDLEA for effective and intelligence-led service delivery.
“It is therefore heartwarming to note that in the last five years, we recorded significant operational successes, including the arrest of 77,792 drug offenders, including 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 significantly disrupting both local and transnational supply chains.”
Marwa further revealed that the agency secured a total of 14,225 convictions within the period under review, noting that the outcome strengthened deterrence and reinforced the consequences of drug-related crimes.
“In further strengthening the criminal justice response to drug offences, the agency successfully prosecuted and secured convictions against 14,225 offenders, reinforcing deterrence and affirming that drug crime attracts consequences,” he added.
Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA boss said the agency intensified efforts to reduce drug demand nationwide. He disclosed that 32,442 drug users benefited from counselling, treatment and rehabilitation programmes across different parts of the country.
He also said the agency carried out 13,735 sensitisation activities under its War Against Drug Abuse campaign, targeting schools, markets, motor parks, workplaces, worship centres and communities, as part of efforts to curb substance abuse and promote preventive awareness.
Marwa attributed the successes to improved intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency and international collaboration, continuous capacity building, and enhanced welfare for officers and men of the agency. He added that sustained motivation through internal reward mechanisms also played a key role.
He thanked Tinubu for extending his tenure for another five years, describing the decision as a renewed call for greater commitment in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
“As we celebrate, we must recognise that the goldfish has no hiding place. The next phase of our operations demands even more grit and more tactical sophistication,” Marwa said.
“We will not rest until every drug baron is behind bars, every trafficker is intercepted, every mule is caught, and every single gram of illicit drug is removed from our streets.”
He warned that there would be no room for complacency, noting that the agency would remain proactive, intelligence-driven and relentless in pursuing those involved in drug trafficking.
“There is no room for complacency. We must remain proactive, intelligence-led, and ruthless in our pursuit of those who seek to destroy our youth and national security,” he said.
Marwa reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to protecting public health and national security, stressing that the ultimate goal remains the total disruption of drug trafficking networks and the creation of a safer, drug-free Nigeria.
He was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA in 2021, after which the agency adopted intelligence-led operations, strengthened inter-agency and international cooperation, and prioritised staff welfare and accountability.
In 2025, Tinubu approved the extension of Marwa’s appointment for another five-year term, with the NDLEA boss pledging to intensify the crackdown on drug trafficking networks and scale up efforts to curb drug abuse nationwide.
