Federal Agency Seizes N800 Billion Worth Of Illicit Drugs, Nabs More Than 40,000 Offenders

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) revealed Monday that the agency has seized N800 billion worth of illicit substances and arrested thousands of drug offenders in the last three years across the country.

Mohammed Buba Marwa, chairman of the NDLEA, said the agency successfully arrested 42,105 drug offenders, including 46 high-profile people, in the last three years. It captured 46 drug barons and seized 7,500 tons of contraband worth about N800 billion.

"Criminal elements rely on drugs to carry out their criminalities and that is why we have been very ferocious in our offensive action against them to cut access and availability of these illicit drugs," Marwa said, Punch reported.

Marwa welcomed the chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, at the NDLEA national headquarters in Abuja on Monday and thanked the military for helping the agency with logistics and training.

He suggested the military should consider building rehabilitation centers in military hospitals if any of their personnel is suffering from substance abuse.

Musa said he is aware of the drug-related challenges in the country and how it has affected the reputation of Nigeria.

"...When Nigeria is mentioned abroad, everybody thinks about drugs, but you and your team have turned that around, at least now, people have seen that sense of sincerity in addressing the drug issue in Nigeria," Musa added.

Earlier this month, the NDLEA destroyed more than 30 tons of illicit drugs and substances valued at N2.58 billion. In 2022, the agency seized over $300 million worth of illicit drugs, destroyed 1,057 hectares of cannabis farms and convicted 8,350 offenders. Moreover, 29,400 drug consumers have been counseled and rehabilitated.

Musa acknowledged that it is not easy to deal with drug-related problems in the country because many people benefit from it and they will do anything to keep the illicit business going. However, he assured the complete support of the Nigerian Armed Forces to the NDLEA members.

"We are proud of you and what you have been achieving and we will continue to support you until the menace of drugs is totally eliminated in the country," he added. "We know the influence of drug use and what it has done to us, creating a lot of issues all over the country, which is very alarming."

Musa admitted that drug use has also entered into the armed forces. The department has incorporated mandatory drug testing in recruitment processes and made it a prerequisite for personnel participating in various courses to ensure that members of the armed forces are always in the right frame of mind.