National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has continued to show strong commitment toward a drug-free Nigeria, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
NAN investigations reveal an aggressive and sustained national campaign by the agency, with encouraging signs of success.
This is reflected in a noticeable decline in arrests, seizures, and the destruction of illegal substances between January and June.
NDLEA spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi, linked the progress to intensified public sensitisation campaigns across various regions.
A 2023 NDLEA report revealed the arrest of 52,901 traffickers, including 48 barons, and the conviction of 9,034 individuals.
In the same year, the agency seized over 7.5 million kilogrammes of drugs and cash/drugs worth N958 billion nationwide.
NAN quotes FCT Commander Kabir Tsakuwa, as saying the agency arrested over 500 suspects and seized more than 7,000 kilogrammes of drugs in 2023, securing 200 convictions.
In spite of these achievements, a UNODC-backed survey shows Nigeria’s drug use rate is 14.4 per cent—nearly triple the global average of 5.5 per cent.
The highest prevalence occurs among people aged 25 to 39, with around 3 million facing drug use disorders.
Babafemi stated that this trend fueled global stigma against Nigerian travellers and highlighted the urgency of NDLEA’s crackdown.
Between January and June, NAN reports the agency seized 1,243,526.36 kilogrammes of drugs including cannabis, heroin, Tramadol, and methamphetamine.
The largest seizure occurred in April (441,054.21kg), followed by May (385,525.69kg) and February (154,870.44kg). June had the lowest: 59,149.82kg.
Arrests fell from 1,610 in January to 1,260 in June, totalling 9,553 arrests—8,546 males and 1,007 females.
In the same period, 1,477 suspects were prosecuted and 1,843 convicted—1,729 males and 114 females.
The NDLEA also destroyed 277.98 hectares of drug farmland across Edo, Delta, Ondo, Cross River, and Ekiti states, respectively.
Cross River recorded the highest destruction—250,000kg—across four farms, while Ondo followed with 27,200kg.
Cross River sites included Calabar River community, Awi Forest, and Esuk Odot Forest Reserve.
Ondo locations included Board Forest, Oda, Alayere, and Shonibare Forest in Akure North, as well as Shitta and Irun Akoko.
Babafemi said 4,448 drug users (3,945 males and 503 females) received counselling in the last two quarters.
Additionally, 692 individuals (683 males and 9 females) were fully rehabilitated during this period.
The agency conducted 2,345 sensitisation programmes nationwide, reaching 961,293 people with drug abuse prevention messages.
NAN reports that under Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), the NDLEA has adopted innovative approaches in its anti-drug efforts, prompting the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), to praise the agency for transparency in destroying seized drugs.
Similarly, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) also pledged to work with the agency to curb the use of truck and passenger vehicles to traffic illicit drugs in Nigeria.
NARTO’s president, Alhaji Yusuf Othman made the commitment when he led other leaders of the transport union on a courtesy visit to the NDLEA recently in Abuja.
Othman said the commitment was part of the ongoing offensive action against substance abuse and trafficking across Nigeria.
Othman said the visit reflected the association’s deep appreciation of NDLEA’s efforts and its readiness as a key stakeholder in the road transport sector to align with Marwa’s mission.
“NARTO is acutely aware of the burden we carry. Our truck and passenger vehicles traverse every region of the country, serving as the arteries of commerce and connectivity.
“However, we also recognise that these same routes are occasionally exploited by criminal elements to traffic illicit substances.
“We at NARTO are committed to reversing that narrative. We believe that collaboration between our association and the NDLEA is both necessary and urgent, and we are ready to play our part,” he said.
To achieve the success of the collaboration, Othman proposed sensitisation and training of NARTO drivers and transport operators on identifying and reporting suspicious cargo or behaviour.
He also recommended establishment of joint intelligence-sharing mechanisms to monitor drug trafficking routes and tactics.
“The deployment of NDLEA liaison officers at major NARTO parks and depots across the federation is commendable.
“Another key area is public awareness campaigns, leveraging our national reach to educate drivers and passengers on the dangers of drug trafficking and abuse,” he said.”
Othman reaffirmed NARTO’s unwavering stand on the drug scourge, saying “our highways must not be used to harm our nation.
“We want to see a transport industry that supports security, safety, and the health of our communities,” he said.
Marwa, who appreciated NARTO’s initiative, said, “We are more than ready to collaborate with you at your parks and depots.”
He urged road transport owners to always conduct background checks on drivers they give their vehicles to ensure they were not linked to any drug trafficking syndicate or hooked on illicit substances.
This, he said would save the transport vehicles owners the risk of losing their vehicles in avoidable crashes or to the government in case they’re caught being used as instruments of illicit drug trafficking.
NAN reports that as part of efforts to enhance forensic capabilities, the agency launched two new laboratories in Abuja and Enugu and upgraded its Lagos lab.
The Lagos facility upgrade replaced a 25-year-old lab, boosting processing speed and accuracy in drug analysis.
Marwa described the lab expansion as a milestone to improve legal prosecution and drug case handling.
Babafemi added that 20 forensic analysts had been certified by the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria.
These analysts are now authorised to sign off on official drug analysis reports.
NDLEA’s performance in the UNODC International Collaborative Exercise reflects global forensic standards compliance.
Also, a spectroscopy device provided by the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has boosted the efficiency of the Lagos laboratory.
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