Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), revealed that over the past 38 months, the agency has made significant strides in combating drug-related crimes.
Marwa stated that a total of 50,901 drug offenders, including 46 barons, have been apprehended, with 9,034 successfully prosecuted and convicted.
Also, the agency has seized over 7,561 tonnes of illicit substances during this period. These accomplishments, Marwa emphasized, send a clear message to drug cartels and kingpins that Nigeria will not tolerate their criminal activities.
Marwa made these remarks during a ceremony in Lagos on Monday, where a new operational facility donated by the British government was commissioned and handed over to the NDLEA.
Marwa commended the British government for its generous support, which will enhance the agency’s capacity to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
Parts of the statement reads:
“As an agency, NDLEA has undergone a tremendous reformation, with its metamorphosis catalysed by partners like the UK. Our operations have undergone substantial reforms, resulting in remarkable achievements within the last three years.
“During this period, the NDLEA achieved significant milestones in its mission to combat drug trafficking and abuse. With a total of 50,901 arrests, including the apprehension of 46 drug barons, our agency has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to bringing those involved in illicit drug activities to justice. Furthermore, the conviction of 9,034 offenders underscores our relentless pursuit of accountability and deterrence in the fight against drug-related crimes.
“Our seizure of 7,560,748.5 kilograms (7,561 tonnes) not only disrupts the flow of illegal drugs but also serves as a significant blow to the criminal networks responsible for their distribution. We have taken decisive action against illicit drug crop cultivation with our search-and-destroy campaign against cannabis plantations which have led to the destruction of 1,057.33348 hectares of cannabis farms in the past three years.”
