The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) 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.), has disclosed.
Marwa made the revelation on Tuesday in Abuja during the NDLEA Commands, Awards and Commendations Ceremony, where outstanding personnel and commands were recognised for their performance in the past year.
“An eyewitness said the fire was triggered by sparks from a welding activity while a welder was repairing a faulty shop door,” the NDLEA statement regarding a separate report read.
Speaking on the agency’s achievements, Marwa said the seizures disrupted both local and transnational drug trafficking networks, sending a clear message that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for illicit drug operations.
He also disclosed that 128 identified drug barons, who played central roles in major trafficking operations across the country, were among those arrested. He attributed the successes to reforms aimed at repositioning the NDLEA for more effective service delivery.
Marwa further explained that the agency secured 14,225 convictions over the period, strengthening deterrence and reinforcing the consequences of drug-related crimes.
“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,” he said. “We seized a total of 14,847,000 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs, thereby significantly disrupting both local and transnational supply chains. 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.”
Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA intensified efforts to reduce drug demand. Marwa revealed that 32,442 drug users benefited from counselling, treatment, and rehabilitation programmes nationwide. He also highlighted the agency’s 13,735 sensitisation activities under its War Against Drug Abuse campaign, conducted in schools, markets, motor parks, workplaces, worship centres, and communities.
The NDLEA boss attributed the achievements 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 it as a call for greater commitment to fighting 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. 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. Let me be clear, the objective of this agency remains the total disruption of drug trafficking and the protection of our communities.”
Marwa reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to public health and national security, stressing that its ultimate goal is the creation of a safer, drug-free Nigeria.
He was first appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA in 2021, after which the agency adopted intelligence-led operations, strengthened inter-agency and international collaboration, and prioritised staff welfare and accountability. President Tinubu approved the extension of his appointment for another five-year term in 2025.
During the ceremony, Marwa pledged to intensify the crackdown on drug trafficking networks and scale up efforts to curb drug abuse nationwide.
