The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it arrested no fewer than 77,792 drug offenders and seized a staggering 14,847,000 kilograms of illicit substances in the past five years.
At the 11th Chairman/CEO’s Commands Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, NDLEA boss Mohamed Marwa declared the agency’s war on drugs “unrelenting and uncompromising,” noting that 128 notorious drug barons tied to local and transnational trafficking networks are now behind bars.
Marwa revealed that the NDLEA secured 14,225 convictions, sending a clear message that drug crimes carry heavy consequences.
“To anyone who thinks he or she has escaped justice, think again. We will get you,” he warned.
Marking the end of his first five-year tenure and the start of a second, Marwa credited the agency’s success to intelligence-led operations, inter-agency collaboration, and the unwavering commitment of NDLEA officers.
He recalled the dramatic arrests of fugitives, including one who masterminded the killing of NDLEA personnel 12 years ago, and another who evaded justice across continents for 17 years before being caught.
The NDLEA also tackled drug demand head-on, ensuring 32,442 users received treatment, counselling, and rehabilitation, sensitisation campaigns reached schools, markets, motor parks, workplaces, worship centres, and communities nationwide.
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“These achievements are not accidental,” Marwa said. “They are the result of discipline, leadership, and clear performance expectations.”
Marwa vowed to escalate the war on drugs: “There is no room for complacency. We will not rest until every drug baron is behind bars, every trafficker intercepted, and every gram of illicit drugs removed from our streets.”
He praised the support of local and international partners, sister security agencies, civil society groups, and the media, calling their collaboration “critical to success.”
As officers received commendations, Marwa charged them to see the honours as a call to greater sacrifice.
“The task ahead is enormous, but our resolve is greater. Together, we will secure a safer, drug-free Nigeria,” he said.
