NDLEA Arrests 77,792, Secures 14,225 Convictions, Seizes 14.8m kg of Drugs in Five Years — Marwa

NDLEA Arrests 77,792, Secures 14,225 Convictions, Seizes 14.8m kg of Drugs in Five Years — Marwa

ABUJA, Tuesday, January 20, 2026 — The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has declared that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for drug traffickers, following the arrest of 77,792 suspects, including 128 major drug barons, the conviction of 14,225 offenders, and the seizure of over 14.8 million kilograms of illicit drugs within the last five years.

Marwa made this declaration at the 11th Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CCEO) Awards and Commendation Ceremony held at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja, where 166 personnel and 17 commands were honoured for outstanding performance. He charged officers of the Agency to prepare for more tactically sophisticated operations against drug cartels, traffickers, and couriers during the next phase of his leadership.

Reflecting on the Agency’s journey since 2021, Marwa said the achievements recorded were a testament to discipline, intelligence-led operations, and collective resilience within the NDLEA.

“When I resumed office in 2021, I promised to take the fight to the doorsteps of the merchants of death. Today, the numbers speak clearly. We have sent a strong message that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for illicit drug enterprises,” he said.

According to him, between 2021 and 2025, the Agency seized a total of 14,847,486.34 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs, significantly disrupting both local and transnational drug supply chains. He added that the successful prosecution and conviction of 14,225 offenders had strengthened deterrence and reinforced the rule of law.

Beyond enforcement, Marwa said the NDLEA sustained its balanced approach to drug control through demand reduction initiatives. He disclosed that 32,442 drug users benefitted from counselling, treatment, and rehabilitation programmes, while 13,735 sensitisation activities were carried out nationwide under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign across schools, communities, worship centres, motor parks, and workplaces.

Marwa attributed the Agency’s successes to the unwavering support of the executive, legislature, and judiciary, while expressing profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued trust and support.

“Mr. President’s decision to extend our mandate is a call to more work. The successes of the past five years are only the foundation. In this second tenure, we will escalate the war against drug abuse and trafficking to new heights of efficiency and results,” he stated.

Addressing officers and men of the Agency, Marwa warned against complacency, stressing that the next phase of NDLEA operations would demand greater grit, innovation, and tactical sophistication.

“We will not rest until every drug baron is behind bars, every trafficker is intercepted, every mule is caught, and every gram of illicit drug is removed from our streets and communities. There will be no retreat and no complacency,” he declared.

At the ceremony, gallant officers and commands were honoured for exceptional courage, professionalism, and integrity. Marwa urged award recipients to see their recognition as a call to higher responsibility, while encouraging other officers to draw inspiration from their achievements.

He noted that the bi-annual awards and commendations are part of NDLEA’s internal motivation and performance appraisal system, designed to strengthen work ethic, boost morale, and sustain the Agency’s renewed operational momentum.

Marwa also acknowledged the contributions of international partners, sister security agencies, civil society organisations, and the media, calling for deeper collaboration to safeguard Nigerian communities and protect future generations from the scourge of drug abuse and trafficking.