NDLEA Arrests Over 14,000 Suspected Drug Traffickers in 2024
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it arrested at least 14,480 suspected drug traffickers between January and October 2024.
This much was confirmed by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd), on Wednesday in Abuja at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja, while briefing members of the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs, who were on an oversight visit.
In a statement issued by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the agency also made seizures of illegal drugs weighing 2.4 million kilograms from the country’s sea and airports, land borders, and communities in the same period.
“We can say with certainty that we are on course to exceed the performance of the previous three years. Between January 1 and October 30, 2024, we recorded 14,480 arrests of drug offenders, including 15 drug barons. During the same period, we secured 2,867 convictions in court,” Marwa said.
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Additionally, 547,378 kilograms of cannabis plantations were destroyed, he said.
“Our seizures in 10 months amounted to 2.4 million kilograms of illicit drugs, which surpassed last year’s record. We successfully located and destroyed 547,378 kilograms of cannabis plantations. Similarly, our drug demand reduction figures are positive.
“In the past 10 months, the agency counselled and rehabilitated 6,655 drug users. Additionally, we conducted a total of 3,064 awareness campaigns and sensitisation lectures in schools, motor parks, worship centres, workplaces, and communities, reaching 1,327,181 people,” he stated.
The NDLEA Boss also pointed the house committee members to the fact that, in February, the agency recorded the largest single heroin seizure in its history, 51.90kg at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.
Among other accomplishments, he said, was the passage of the NDLEA Act amendment bill and the successful convictions of many drug lords.
In turn, the Chairman of the House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, Hon. Abass Adigun, hailed the agency for a job well done so far.
“As we carry out our oversight responsibilities, I assure you of our committee’s unwavering support in ensuring that the NDLEA remains adequately equipped to fulfil its mission.
“This includes advocating for improved funding, modern tools, and a conducive working environment for all staff,” Adigun said.
