NDLEA Seizes Drugs Worth N1.5trn In 18 Months

Chairman/chief executive officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa has said in the last 18 months alone, the agency has made a total of 29,262 arrests leading to the seizure of 5,305,484.88 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs valued at over N1.5 trillion and the conviction of 5,225 offenders.

Marwa stated this in Abuja on Friday, June 26 during the grand finale of celebrations, marking the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

While reacting to the figures, Marwa said “These numbers represent more than just data; they represent millions of lives saved, billions of naira in criminal wealth confiscated, and a future reclaimed for our youths.”

Marwa, who also stated that enforcement alone cannot solve the drug problem, noted that the NDLEA has aggressively expanded its Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) initiatives.

He said “Through our War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, we have conducted 6,645 drug use prevention focused sensitization and awareness creation programmes in schools, worship centres, work places, markets, motor parks and communities, and correctional facilities, among others, equipping nearly five million Nigerians with the life skills to resist drug abuse. Equally significant is the counselling, treatment and rehabilitation of 13,508 drug users across our 31 rehab centres spread all over the country within the same period.”

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to eliminating the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking through evidence-based, innovative interventions.

Tinubu was represented at the event by the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi.

Reflecting on this year’s theme, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” the president emphasized that the evolving nature of the global drug problem demands constant vigilance, adaptability, and collective action.

He noted that the consequences of the drug scourge extend far beyond individual users, severely disrupting families, schools, workplaces, and overall national security.

According to the president, the federal government is confronting these challenges through a well-coordinated, multi-faceted approach.

His words: “My administration remains committed to creating an environment in which young Nigerians can thrive and succeed. Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are expanding access to education, promoting skills development, supporting entrepreneurship, creating employment opportunities and implementing social interventions that address some of the underlying factors that make individuals vulnerable to substance abuse and criminal recruitment.

“At the same time, we recognize that reducing demand must be matched by decisive action to disrupt supply. This requires stronger border management, enhanced surveillance of ports, airports, seaports and land crossings, improved intelligence gathering and closer collaboration among national, regional and international law enforcement agencies. Criminal organizations operate across borders, and our response must be equally coordinated and effective.”