The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking, arresting 14,480 suspects and confiscating 2.4 million kilograms of illicit drugs in the first 10 months of the year.
The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this on Wednesday during a briefing with the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs in Abuja.
Among those arrested were 15 notorious drug barons, while the agency secured 2,867 convictions within the same period.
“Our seizures in 10 months amounted to 2.4 million kilograms of illicit drugs, which also surpassed last year’s record.
We successfully located and destroyed 547,378 kilogrammes of cannabis plantations,” Marwa said.
Highlighting key achievements, Marwa noted the agency’s largest single heroin seizure of 51.90 kilograms at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, in February.
He added that the arrest of high-profile drug barons and the passage of the NDLEA Act amendment bill were significant milestones in 2024.
In its efforts to reduce drug demand, the NDLEA provided counselling and rehabilitation services to 6,655 drug users.
Additionally, the agency conducted 3,064 awareness campaigns across schools, motor parks, religious centres, workplaces, and communities, reaching over 1.3 million people.
“Our campaigns have reached 1,327,181 individuals this year alone,” Marwa stated, emphasising the agency’s commitment to curbing substance abuse through education and community engagement.
Marwa expressed optimism about the agency’s trajectory, stating, “We can say with certainty that we are on course to beat the performance of the past three years.”
The NDLEA’s intensified operations and preventive measures underscore its dedication to combating drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria, bolstering public health and national security.
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
