The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 50,901 drug offenders, including 46 drug barons, in the last three years.

It also secured the conviction of 9,034 offenders during the period, its chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Marwa said in Lagos on Monday.

At the inauguration of a facility for crime investigation built for the NDLEA by the UK government, Mr Marwa said the agency also seized more than 7,561 tonnes of illicit substances during the period.

He assured that the agency had taken decisive action against the cultivation of illicit drugs with its search-and-destroy campaign on Indian hemp plantations.

He noted that the campaign had destroyed more than one million hectares of such plantations in the last three years.

Mr Marwa commended the British government for its generous support for the NDLEA, stressing that the facility would boost the agency’s capability to tackle substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

“This building complex stands not only as a physical structure but as a symbol of the enduring partnership between our two nations in the global fight against drug trafficking.

“It represents the culmination of years of cooperation, mutual trust, and shared determination to combat one of the most pressing threats to our societies,’’ Mr Marwa said.

The chairman called on the UK government to continue to partner with the NDLEA to disrupt crime networks, intercept illegal drugs, and bring those who seek to profit from illicit drug trade to justice.

The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jonny Baxter, assured of continued support for NDLEA and Nigeria.

He said the United Kingdom was delighted to have a long-standing relationship with the NDLEA.

“I join the chairman in affirming our continued support, our continued cooperation, and indeed our continued pride in working together with ladies and gentlemen of this agency, the NDLEA,’’ Mr Baxter said. 

(NAN)