NDLEA arrests 14,480, seizes 2.4 million drugs in 10 months

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) apprehended 14,480 suspected drug traffickers between January and October, in connection with the seizure of 2.4 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs.

The NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, disclosed this while briefing members of the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee was on an oversight visit to the NDLEA national headquarters in Abuja.

Marwa stated that the arrests and drug interceptions were carried out by the anti-narcotics agency 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 said.

“Between Jan. 1 and Oct. 30, we recorded 14,480 arrests of drug offenders, including 15 drug barons.

“Within the same period, we secured 2,867 convictions in court. This is far more than what we have achieved in each of the past three years.

“Our seizures in 10 months amounted to 2.4 million kilograms of illicit drugs, which also surpassed last year’s record. We successfully located and destroyed 547,378 kilograms of cannabis plantations.

“Similarly, our drug demand reduction figure is on the positive side. In the past 10 months, the agency counseled and rehabilitated 6,655 drug users.

“We conducted a total of 3,064 awareness campaigns and sensitization lectures in schools, motor parks, worship centers, workplaces, and communities, among others, which reached 1,327,181 people,” he added.

Marwa also highlighted the largest single heroin seizure of 51.90 kg in the agency’s history at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in February.

“We secured life imprisonment sentences for some notorious drug traffickers and arrested most-wanted drug barons in Lagos. The recent passage of the NDLEA Act amendment bill is another milestone for the agency in 2024,” he noted.

Marwa commended the lawmakers for their support throughout the year and urged them to remain steadfast to enable the agency to achieve more.

He emphasized that despite limited resources, the agency has achieved impressive results in the past three years.

“We can do more, and we are ready to do more if given adequate resources,” Marwa said.

“I implore you not to relent or become weary in your oversight to ensure that we are 100 percent mobilized in all our operations.

“We have come a long way—from an agency that was grossly under-resourced 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 objectives, making Nigeria safe from the scourge of illicit drugs.

“Pushing us to reach that milestone is very much in your power. We thank you immensely for your support so far and look forward to more support that will enable us to operate at our optimal best,” he added.

In his remarks, Chairman of the House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, Rep. Abass Adigun, commended the agency’s leadership and personnel for their dedication to duty despite challenging circumstances.

“As we conduct our oversight responsibilities, I assure you of our committee’s unwavering support in ensuring that the NDLEA remains adequately equipped to fulfill its mission.

“This includes advocating for improved funding, modern tools, and a conducive working environment for all staff,” the lawmaker assured.