Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), the agency’s Chairman and CEO, has stated that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested 77,792 drug offenders and seized approximately 14,847 kilograms of various illicit drugs over the last five years. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), has said the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested no fewer than 77,792 drug offenders and seized about 14,847 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs in the last five years.
Marwa made the announcement on Tuesday in Abuja at the NDLEA Commands, Awards, and Commendations Ceremony, which recognised outstanding agency commands and personnel for their performance over the previous year.
According to him, the seizures significantly disrupted local and transnational drug trafficking networks, demonstrating that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for illegal drug enterprises.
He stated that the agency also arrested 128 identified drug barons who played key roles in major trafficking operations across the country, noting that the successes were the result of deliberate reforms aimed at repositioning the NDLEA for more effective service delivery.
Marwa stated that the agency obtained 14,225 convictions during the period under review, thereby increasing deterrence and reinforcing the consequences of drug-related crimes.
He stated, “It is thus heartening to note that in the last five years, we have recorded significant operational successes, including the arrest of 77,792 drug offenders, including 128 identified drug barons who were central to major trafficking networks.
“We seized a total of 14,847,000 kilogrammes of various illicit drugs, significantly disrupting both domestic and international supply chains.
“In further strengthening the criminal justice response to drug offences, the agency successfully prosecuted and secured convictions for 14,225 offenders, reinforcing deterrence and demonstrating that drug crime has consequences.”
Beyond enforcement, he stated that the NDLEA increased its efforts to reduce drug demand, revealing that 32,442 drug users benefited from counselling, treatment, and rehabilitation programmes across the country.
He also stated that the agency carried out 13,735 sensitisation activities as part of its War Against Drug Abuse campaign in schools, markets, motor parks, workplaces, worship centres and communities to combat substance abuse and raise preventive awareness.
Marwa attributed the achievements to improved intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, capacity building, and improved welfare for the agency’s officers and men, as well as sustained motivation through internal incentive mechanisms.
He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for extending his term for another five years, describing the decision as a call to increase commitment to the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
The NDLEA chief assured Nigerians that the agency’s operations would be stepped up in the new administration, vowing that drug barons, traffickers, and couriers would not be spared, no matter how long it took to prosecute them.
He stated, “As we celebrate, we must acknowledge that the goldfish has no hiding place. The next phase of our operations will require even more grit and tactical sophistication.
“We will not stop until every drug baron is imprisoned, every trafficker is apprehended, every mule is apprehended, and every gramme of illegal drugs is removed from our streets.
“There is no room for complacency.” We must remain proactive, intelligence-led, and ruthless in our pursuit of those who threaten our youth and national security. To be clear, the goal of this agency remains the complete eradication of drug trafficking and the safety of our communities.
“The expectation is to maintain pressure until every drug baron, trafficker, courier, and gramme of illicit drugs is removed from our streets and communities.”
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting public health and national security, emphasising that the ultimate goal remains to completely disrupt drug trafficking and create a safer, drug-free Nigeria.
Marwa was appointed Chairman and CEO of the NDLEA in 2021, following which the agency implemented intelligence-led operations, strengthened inter-agency and international collaboration, and prioritised staff welfare and accountability.
In 2025, President Bola Tinubu extended his appointment for another five-year term.
Speaking at the event, Marwa promised to intensify the crackdown on drug trafficking networks and expand efforts to combat drug abuse across the country.
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