The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), has said the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested no fewer than 77,792 drug offenders and seized about 14,847 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs in the last five years.
Marwa disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the NDLEA Commands, Awards and Commendations Ceremony, where outstanding commands and personnel of the agency were honoured for their performance over the past year.
According to him, the seizures significantly disrupted local and transnational drug trafficking networks, sending a clear message that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for illicit drug enterprises.
He said the agency also arrested 128 identified drug barons who played central roles in major trafficking operations across the country, noting that the successes were the result of deliberate reforms aimed at repositioning the NDLEA for effective service delivery.
Marwa explained that over the period under review, the agency secured 14,225 convictions, strengthening deterrence and reinforcing the consequences of drug-related crimes.
He said, “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.
“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, he said the NDLEA intensified efforts at drug demand reduction, revealing that 32,442 drug users benefited from counselling, treatment and rehabilitation programmes nationwide.
He added that the agency conducted 13,735 sensitisation activities under its War Against Drug Abuse campaign across schools, markets, motor parks, workplaces, worship centres and communities to curb substance abuse and promote preventive awareness.
Marwa attributed the achievements to improved intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, capacity building and enhanced welfare for officers and men of the agency, as well as sustained motivation through internal reward mechanisms.
He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for extending his tenure for another five years, describing the decision as a call for greater commitment in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
The NDLEA boss assured Nigerians that the agency would intensify its operations in the new tenure, vowing that there would be no respite for drug barons, traffickers and couriers, regardless of how long it takes to bring them to justice.
He said, “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.
“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.
“The expectation is sustained pressure until every drug baron, trafficker, courier, and every gram of illicit drugs is taken out of our streets and communities.”
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting public health and national security, stressing that the ultimate objective remains the total disruption of drug trafficking and the creation of a safer, drug-free Nigeria.
Marwa was 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.
In 2025, President Bola Tinubu approved the extension of his appointment for another five-year term.
Speaking at the event, Marwa pledged to intensify the crackdown on drug trafficking networks and scale up efforts to curb drug abuse nationwide.
