NDLEA seizes 5,305,484.88kg of illicit drugs worth N1.5trn in 18 months

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By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

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ABUJA — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has seized 5,305,484.88 kilograms of illicit drugs valued at about N1.5 trillion and secured the conviction of 5,225 drug offenders in the last 18 months.

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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this on Friday at the grand finale of activities marking the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Abuja.

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Marwa said the figures reflected the agency’s sustained efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse across the country.

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“These numbers represent more than just data; they represent millions of lives saved, billions of naira in criminal wealth confiscated, and a future reclaimed for our youths,” he said.

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He said Nigeria remained committed to the global fight against illicit drugs, describing drug trafficking and abuse as major threats to public health, national security, social stability and human development.

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According to him, the NDLEA recorded significant operational successes over the past year through intelligence-led enforcement operations, dismantling major drug syndicates and making unprecedented seizures at airports, seaports, land borders and remote communities.

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Marwa highlighted the dismantling of the notorious Amadi Simon drug cartel through collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA) and law enforcement agencies in Greece, France and Switzerland.

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He also disclosed that the agency disrupted a transnational methamphetamine cartel with the arrest of a 63-year-old suspected drug kingpin, Innocent Anochili, alongside three Mexican nationals and six Nigerians.

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In another operation, he said the agency uncovered a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Tapa village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, where a Mexican national and four others were arrested.

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According to him, the agency’s sustained operations over the past five years have led to the arrest of 234 suspected drug barons linked to major trafficking networks.

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Marwa, however, stressed that enforcement alone would not solve Nigeria’s drug problem, noting that the agency had expanded its drug demand reduction programmes.

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He said the NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign had delivered 6,645 sensitisation programmes in schools, worship centres, workplaces, markets, motor parks, communities and correctional facilities, reaching nearly five million Nigerians.

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He added that 13,508 persons battling substance abuse had received counselling, treatment and rehabilitation across the agency’s 31 rehabilitation centres nationwide within the same period.

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Marwa said the NDLEA was also strengthening its use of technology, deep-web intelligence and advanced data analytics to detect emerging drug trends, while upgrading its forensic capabilities to identify precursor chemicals and new psychoactive substances.

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He highlighted the agency’s Alternative Development Programme, described as the first of its kind in Africa, which encourages cannabis farmers to switch to legitimate crops such as cassava, maize, cowpeas and cocoa.

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The NDLEA boss commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the agency’s operations and acknowledged the contributions of local and international partners, civil society organisations, the media and community leaders.

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He also praised NDLEA personnel for their dedication and sacrifice in combating drug trafficking across the country.

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Marwa expressed confidence that sustained collaboration, innovation and collective responsibility would strengthen the fight against illicit drugs and help build a safer and healthier Nigeria.

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