The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested 29,262 suspected drug traffickers, seized illicit drugs valued at more than ₦1.5 trillion, and secured the conviction of 5,225 offenders over the past 18 months.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this in Abuja during the grand finale of activities marking the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
According to Marwa, the agency has intensified intelligence-driven operations against drug syndicates, leading to the dismantling of several local and international trafficking networks.
He revealed that the NDLEA, in collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and security agencies in Greece, France and Switzerland, recently dismantled the notorious Amadi Simon drug cartel.
Marwa also disclosed that operatives arrested a 63-year-old Nigerian drug baron, three Mexican nationals, and six Nigerian accomplices linked to an international methamphetamine trafficking syndicate. In another operation, the agency uncovered and shut down a large illegal methamphetamine laboratory in Oyo State, where a Mexican national and four others were arrested.
Giving a breakdown of the agency’s achievements, Marwa said NDLEA officers seized over 5.3 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs during the period under review.
“These figures represent millions of lives saved, billions of naira in criminal wealth confiscated, and a brighter future for Nigerian youths,” he said.
Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA said it has also stepped up efforts to prevent drug abuse through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign. The agency conducted 6,645 awareness programmes, reaching nearly five million Nigerians, while 13,508 drug users received counselling, treatment and rehabilitation across its centres nationwide.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), commended the agency for its achievements and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling drug trafficking and substance abuse.
He, however, stressed that government alone cannot win the fight against drug abuse, calling on parents, schools, religious leaders, traditional rulers, the media and the private sector to support awareness and prevention efforts.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also praised Nigeria’s approach to combating drug-related crimes, pledging continued support through partnerships and technical assistance.
