NDLEA Arrests 14,480 Suspected Drug Traffickers in 10 Months – Marwa

Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has reported that at least 14,480 suspected drug traffickers were apprehended between January and October 2024.

Marwa explained that these arrests were connected to the seizure of 2.4 million kilograms of various illicit drugs, confiscated by the NDLEA at seaports, airports, land borders, and communities across the country.

While briefing members of the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs during an oversight visit to the NDLEA’s national headquarters in Abuja, Marwa revealed that between January 1 and October 30, 2024, the agency made 14,480 arrests of drug offenders, including 15 drug barons.

He also noted that during the same period, the agency secured 2,867 convictions in court.

He explained, “Our seizures in 10 months amounted to 2.4 million kilograms of illicit drugs, which also surpassed last year’s record. We successfully located and destroyed 547, 378 kilograms of cannabis plantations.”

Over the past 10 months, Chairman Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa stated that the NDLEA has counseled and rehabilitated 6,655 drug users.

Marwa also revealed that the agency made its largest single heroin seizure in history, amounting to 51.90 kilograms, at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in February.

Abass Adigun, the Chairman of the House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, commended the leadership and personnel of the NDLEA for their unwavering dedication to duty, particularly given the challenging conditions under which they operate.