NDLEA arrests over 14,000 drug trafficking suspects, seizes 2.4m kg of illicit drugs
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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“Between January 1 and October 30, 2024, we recorded 14,480 arrests of drug offenders, including 15 drug barons. Within the same period, we secured 2,867 convictions in court – far exceeding our achievements in each of the past three years” – Marwa
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Up to 14,480 suspected drug traffickers were arrested and 2,867 convictions were secured in court between January and October, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Chairman Buba Marwa has disclosed to lawmakers, to sign post the progress in the fight against drug crime in Nigeria.
Marwa announced the figures when members of the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs visited NDLEA national headquarters in Abuja as part of their oversight functions.
He said the arrests were linked to the seizure of 2.4 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs at seaports, airports, land borders, and communities across the country.
“With the record of work done by the agency in the past 10 months, we can say with certainty that we are on course to beat the performance of the previous three years,” he enthused.
“Between January 1 and October 30, 2024, we recorded 14,480 arrests of drug offenders, including 15 drug barons. Within the same period, we secured 2,867 convictions in court – far exceeding our achievements in each of the past three years.”
Marwa said the NDLEA destroyed 547,378 kilograms of cannabis plantations and carried out 3,064 awareness campaigns in schools, motor parks, places of worship, workplaces, and communities, reaching over 1.3 million people, and counselled and rehabilitated 6,655 drug users during the period.
He also cited the 51.90kg of heroin seized at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos in February, the largest single heroin seizure in the history of the NDLEA, as well as life imprisonment sentences secured for some notorious drug traffickers.
Marwa applauded lawmakers for their support and urged them to remain steadfast in providing resources to help the NDLEA maximise its operations.
“We have come a long way from being an agency grossly emasculated due to lack of resources to a government organ that is now up and doing.
“We are only a short distance away from attaining full strength to achieve all our set objectives that will make Nigeria safe from the scourge of illicit drugs.”
House Narcotic Drugs Committee Chairman Abass Adigun commended the NDLEA leadership and personnel for their dedication despite challenging conditions.
“As we conduct our oversight responsibilities, I assure you of our committee’s unwavering support in ensuring that the NDLEA remains adequately equipped to fulfil its mission,” Adigun said.
He pledged to advocate for improved funding, modern tools, and a conducive working environment for the agency.
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