Abuja: The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced the seizure of over 5.3 million kilograms of illicit drugs valued at approximately N1.5 trillion over the past 18 months. The agency’s Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, shared this milestone on Friday in Abuja during the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’s closing ceremony.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Marwa emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to the global fight against drug trafficking and abuse, which pose significant threats to public health, national security, social stability, and development. He highlighted the agency’s relentless efforts to combat increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.
Marwa detailed the agency’s successes, noting its intelligence-driven enforcement strategies that have led to the dismantling of syndicates and significant seizures across airports, seaports, land borders, and communities. He declared that recent operational breakthroughs send a clear message to criminals that there is no safe haven for drug trafficking in Nigeria.
The NDLEA, in collaboration with the U.S. DEA and authorities from Greece, France, and Switzerland, dismantled the infamous Amadi Simon drug cartel and neutralized a cross-continental methamphetamine cartel. This operation resulted in the arrest of a 63-year-old Nigerian drug baron, three Mexican nationals, and six Nigerian accomplices. Additionally, the agency uncovered a large-scale methamphetamine lab in Tapa village, Oyo State, arresting a Mexican national and four others.
Marwa reported the arrest of 234 drug barons over the past five years, with 29,262 arrests, the seizure of 5,305,484.88 kilograms of illicit drugs, and 5,225 convictions recorded in the last 18 months alone. He emphasized that these actions have saved millions of lives and confiscated billions of naira in criminal wealth.
The NDLEA has also expanded its Drug Demand Reduction initiatives through the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, conducting 6,645 drug prevention and awareness programs nationwide. These initiatives have equipped nearly five million Nigerians with skills to resist drug abuse, while 13,508 drug users received counselling and rehabilitation.
To enhance its operations, Marwa stated that the agency is strengthening its technological, intelligence, and forensic capabilities to detect emerging drugs and precursor chemicals. He also highlighted Africa’s first Alternative Development Programme, aimed at providing cannabis growers with legitimate livelihoods through the cultivation of food and cash crops.
Marwa expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for supporting the agency’s operations and acknowledged the contributions of local and international partners, civil society organizations, and community leaders. He praised NDLEA personnel for their dedication, referring to them as “the thin green line standing between safety and chaos.”
In a guest lecture, Prof. Oluwatoyin Odeku from the University of Ibadan acknowledged Nigeria’s progress in combating illicit drugs, celebrating the achievements since NDLEA’s revitalization in 2021. UNODC Country Representative, Chiekh Tour©, also commended Nigeria’s balanced approach to drug control and pledged continued support.
The event concluded with the presentation of prizes to winners of the NDLEA inter-secondary schools essay competition, with Ikpeamachi Jennifer of Federal Government College, Enugu, winning the first prize of N500,000.