NDLEA Arrest 16,304, Prosecute Over 3,000 Drug Offenders in 2025
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says in its efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria, 16,304 arrests and over 3,000 prosecutions have been made in the first 10 months of 2025.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd.), said this during his keynote address at the 7th edition of the Security and Emergency Management Awards and Lecture (SAEMA 2025).
The event was organised by Emergency Digest, a subsidiary of Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), Publisher of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential among other title in collaboration with the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC)
Themed, “Drug Control and National Security: Innovations for Safer Tomorrow” took place at the NDLEA
Headquarters Conference Hall in Abuja on Wednesday.
Marwa highlights the agency’s efforts in tackling the menace of drug abuse, which he described as a public health crisis, social problem, and economic burden.
“Gratifyingly, we are getting good results. In the first 10 months of this year alone, we have recorded 16,304 arrests and prosecuted over 3,000 drug offenders, with hundreds of cases ongoing in court,” he said
Marwa states that the agency’s strategy involves a two-pronged, focusing on supply reduction and demand reduction.
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“Supply reduction involves closing down the supply pipelines of illicit drugs through intelligence-led operations, interdictions, and international collaborations.
“We have seized 4.5 million kilograms of illicit substances and destroyed over 600 hectares of cannabis farms. Our officers remain resolute and execute their jobs without fear or favor, from our land borders to our airports and seaports.”
On demand reduction, Marwa highlights the agency’s social advocacy campaign, War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), which aims to awaken every citizen, family, and institution to their role in stamping out the ills of illicit drugs.
His words, “We have conducted 3765 awareness activities, comprising public lectures, sensitisation, visits, and other engagements.
“Our demand reduction strategy also includes counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration of drug users.”
In his remarks at the occasion, he Executive Director of CISLAC, Mallam Musa Ibrahim Rafsanjani, commended General Buba Marwa for leading by example and demonstrating that with political will, even the most daunting social challenges can be effectively addressed. He noted the remarkable successes of the anti-drug war campaigns championed under Marwa’s leadership at the NDLEA as proof of this resolve.
Rafsanjani further stated that Marwa’s reappointment as NDLEA Chairman is well-deserved, given his unwavering commitment and courageous efforts in confronting previously “untouchable” drug barons and addicts with precise, decisive actions that have made the nation proud.
The event also feature book presentation and recognised outstanding gallantry, patriotism, and contributions of Nigeria’s safety and security personnel and institutions.
The book titled “Anti-drug, Anti-smuggling Campaign: A Coprpers’ Chronicle” was co-authored by serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, Tahir Abdullahi Ahmad and Assayyidul Arafat Abdulrazaq.
By PRNigeria
