NDLEA Seizes Over 11.2 Million Kg of Drugs, Arrests More Than 67,000 in 54 Months

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed that it seized more than 11.2 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs and arrested over 67,000 suspects across Nigeria in the last 54 months as part of its intensified crackdown on narcotics trafficking and abuse.

The agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired), made the disclosure during a media briefing in Abuja, stating that the achievement represents an unprecedented milestone in the agency’s history and underscores the administration’s commitment to tackling the drug menace in the country.

He explained that the arrests included several high-profile traffickers, cartel leaders, and drug couriers, many of whom have been successfully prosecuted and convicted, while others are facing ongoing trials in various courts. According to him, between January 2021 and June 2025, the NDLEA removed a staggering 11,210,000 kilogrammes of assorted illicit substances from circulation, thereby disrupting major drug supply chains across the country.

Marwa noted that the nationwide operations covered all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with Lagos, Kano, and Rivers States ranking among the most active in drug-related offences. Of the 67,000 suspects apprehended, more than 12,000 have already been convicted and are serving various prison terms, while over 20,000 cases are still pending before different courts.

He attributed the agency’s improved performance to the comprehensive restructuring of its operations, the deployment of advanced surveillance technologies, enhanced intelligence-gathering capabilities, and closer collaboration with both domestic and international partners. The NDLEA, he said, has strengthened its working relationships with institutions such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) to boost the efficiency and reach of its anti-narcotics campaigns.

While enforcement has been a major focus, Marwa emphasised that the NDLEA has also invested heavily in demand-reduction strategies. Public awareness campaigns, rehabilitation programmes, and community outreach efforts have been scaled up to address the root causes of drug abuse, particularly among the youth. He revealed that more than 29,000 individuals have undergone counselling and rehabilitation at NDLEA facilities nationwide in the last four and a half years.

According to him, these interventions are essential to breaking the cycle of abuse, as they offer individuals a path to recovery while reducing the likelihood of reoffending. He warned, however, that drug trafficking continues to pose a significant national security challenge, given Nigeria’s strategic position as a transit hub for narcotics destined for Europe, Asia, and other African nations. Criminal networks, he noted, are constantly evolving in their methods, deploying sophisticated concealment techniques, using drones for delivery, and relying on encrypted communication channels to evade detection.

Despite these challenges, Marwa assured that the NDLEA remains committed to staying ahead of the criminals through innovation, training, and the use of cutting-edge equipment. He stressed that sustaining the agency’s successes will require consistent funding, robust legislative support, and active cooperation from local communities. Every kilogramme of drugs seized and every trafficker arrested, he said, translates into lives saved, families preserved, and safer communities.

He further urged Nigerians to see the fight against drugs as a collective responsibility, warning that the consequences of complacency would be dire for public health and national stability. Analysts observing the NDLEA’s progress note that the agency’s achievements have enhanced Nigeria’s credibility in the global fight against narcotics. They point out that effective cooperation with foreign agencies has not only improved intelligence sharing but has also enabled coordinated operations that have dismantled major international drug syndicates with links to Nigeria.

However, experts caution that maintaining this momentum will require unwavering political will, continued investment in training and technology, and seamless collaboration with other security agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigerian Immigration Service. They also stress the need to address the socioeconomic factors that drive individuals into drug trafficking and abuse, including unemployment, poverty, and lack of educational opportunities.

In his remarks, Marwa reaffirmed that the NDLEA’s strategy for the second half of 2025 will prioritise the dismantling of transnational drug syndicates, blocking financial flows associated with the illicit drug trade, and expanding rehabilitation centres to accommodate more individuals in need of help. He stated that greater emphasis will be placed on preventing young people from being recruited into the drug trade, as well as ensuring that convicted traffickers face the full weight of the law.

 

The NDLEA boss also highlighted the agency’s successes in intercepting drug shipments at seaports, airports, and border crossings, noting that tighter security measures and improved coordination with international agencies have been crucial in curbing trafficking. He expressed optimism that with sustained public cooperation and government backing, the NDLEA can achieve even greater results in the years ahead.

While the fight remains far from over, the figures presented by Marwa point to a determined and increasingly effective national response to a problem that has long threatened Nigeria’s social fabric and global reputation. The 11.2 million kilogrammes of drugs taken out of circulation and the more than 67,000 arrests in just over four years represent not only a significant law enforcement success but also a major step toward safeguarding the health, security, and future of the nation.