NDLEA Arrests 51000 Drug Offenders, Convicts 9000 In 3 Years

Nigeria's anti-narcotics agency, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), revealed that in the last three years, they have successfully arrested 50,901 drug offenders, including 46 barons.

The chairman of the agency, retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, disclosed the number of arrests on Monday during the inauguration and handover ceremony of an operational facility in Lagos. The facility was constructed and donated by the British Government to the NDLEA.

Marwa's spokesperson Femi Babafemi said out of 50,901 alleged drug offenders, 9,034 have been successfully prosecuted and convicted.

He mentioned that the conviction of more than 9,000 drug offenders and the seizure of over 7,561 tonnes of illegal substances in the past 38 months have sent a strong message to drug cartels and their leaders that Nigeria will not tolerate their criminal activities.

Marwa also mentioned their efforts in searching for and destroying cannabis plantations have destroyed 1,057.33348 hectares of cannabis farms over the past three years.

He praised the British government for its generous support, which enhanced the capabilities of the anti-narcotic agency in fighting substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.

"We gather here not just to commission a new building complex but to celebrate a significant milestone in our ongoing fight against the scourge of licit and illicit drug trafficking," he said, Premium Times reported.

"Today, we commission the newly acquired building, a project made possible through the generous support of the British government. I must express our gratitude to the British government for their unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions to our cause."

British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria Jonny Baxter, who was also present at the event, assured that the United Kingdom's government will continue to support Nigeria and NDLEA.

"We, the UK government, are delighted to have this long-standing relationship with the NDLEA, and I'm in particular delighted to have been personally involved in a number of activities, especially your maritime," Baxter said.

Marwa last year in December announced that the agency has 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.