The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it arrested 77,792 drug offenders and also seized 14,847,000 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs across the country in the last five years.

Buba Marwa, The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the anti-narcotic agency, Buba Marwa, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the NDLEA commands, awards and commendations ceremony.

Mr Marwa said the seizures and arrests by operatives of the anti-narcotic agency had significantly disrupted both local and transnational drug trafficking networks. 

He explained that the development also sent a signal to the outside world that Nigeria was no longer a haven for illicit drug operations and peddlers. 

He said, “It is heartwarming to note that in the last five years, we recorded significant operational successes, including the arrest of 77,792 drug offenders, among them 128 identified drug barons who were central to major trafficking networks.”

The NDLEA added that the agency seized a total of 14,847,000 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs during the period, adding that the development weakened supply chains and curtailed the activities of criminal syndicates operating within and outside the country.

Mr Marwa stated that the NDLEA also secured 14,225 convictions, strengthening deterrence and reinforcing the consequences of drug-related crimes.

“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,” the NDLEA boss said. 

He noted that the anti-narcotic agency continued to intensify efforts at drug demand reduction, noting that 32,442 drug users benefitted from counselling, treatment, and rehabilitation programmes nationwide.

He added that under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, the NDLEA conducted 13,735 sensitisation activities across schools, markets, motor parks, workplaces, worship centres and communities to curb substance abuse and promote preventive awareness.

Mr Marw attributed the achievements recorded in the year under review to improved intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency collaboration, continuous capacity building, enhanced welfare for officers, and sustained motivation through internal reward mechanisms.