Marwa: NDLEA Nabbed 66,085 Drug Suspects, Secured 12,201 Convictions in 53 Months
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), has announced that the agency has arrested 66,085 drug offenders and secured 12,201 convictions over the past 53 months.
Marwa made this known on Thursday, June 26, at the Presidential Villa Conference Centre, Abuja, during the grand finale of activities marking the 2025 World Drug Day (WDD) commemoration.
According to him, the agency also seized 1,143,717.44 kilograms of various illicit substances and successfully rehabilitated 26,393 individuals battling drug addiction during the same period.
He emphasized that while preventive measures remain crucial, they will have limited impact unless access to illicit drugs is aggressively curtailed.
“Put simply, while we work strategically to prevent individuals from initiating drug use, we must simultaneously shut down the pipeline through which these harmful substances are distributed. We must remove traffickers from the equation. This is a task we have continued to pursue diligently, deploying every resource at our disposal,” he stated.
Marwa also stressed the vital roles that parents, teachers, and community leaders play in tackling the drug menace. Through initiatives like the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign, he said, the agency is educating stakeholders on how to protect and guide the youth.
“Teachers are particularly important. They help shape character and instill values during formative years. The national curriculum now includes content on drug abuse, and teachers are in a prime position to guide young minds,” he added.
The NDLEA boss expressed appreciation to international partners for their continuous support in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
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“To the UNODC, INL, DEA, UK Border Force, NCA, and the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and France, thank you for your continued and meaningful support,” Marwa said.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the event, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, reiterated the administration’s commitment to curbing substance abuse. Tinubu emphasized that the campaign must transcend government efforts and become a national movement.
“Let us be clear: this fight is not one for governments alone. It must be a national movement—driven by families, faith leaders, civil society organizations, youth groups, community leaders, businesses, and, crucially, people with lived experience. Their voices matter. Their stories inspire. Their leadership is essential,” he declared.
The President pledged that Nigeria would continue to align with global efforts to tackle drug abuse and its far-reaching consequences. He also commended the NDLEA for its outstanding performance, which has earned international praise and strengthened global collaboration.
In his remarks, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), described drug abuse as more than a public health crisis, labeling it a threat to national security, social cohesion, and economic stability.
He highlighted the need for integrated drug prevention strategies within the country’s education system, healthcare services, and criminal justice sector.
“The Federal Government has established several frameworks, action plans, and strategies aimed at significantly reducing the production, trafficking, sales, and use of illicit drugs, as well as mitigating their socio-economic and health implications,” Fagbemi said.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, who represented Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Representative, Cheikh Ousmane Toure.
By PRNigeria
