By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE NATIONAL Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announces it has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking, arresting 14,480 suspected drug offenders between January and October 2024.
This figure includes 15 notorious drug barons who are now facing legal actions.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), disclosed this during a briefing with members of the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Marwa detailed the agency’s operations, revealing that it had secured 2,867 convictions during the same period and seized a staggering 2.4 million kilograms of various illicit drugs.
Highlighting NDLEA’s efforts, Marwa stated: “We are on track to surpass our achievements of the past three years.
In just ten months, our team destroyed 547,378 kilograms of cannabis plantations, a significant milestone in our fight against drug cultivation.”
He further added that the agency’s drug demand reduction campaigns had resulted in the rehabilitation of 6,655 drug users, while 3,064 awareness programmes reached over 1.3 million Nigerians, including schools, workplaces, worship centres, and communities.
Among the agency’s notable achievements was the largest single heroin seizure in its history—51.9 kilograms—at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in February 2024.
Other successes include securing life imprisonment sentences for drug traffickers and the arrests of high-profile drug barons operating in Lagos.
Marwa lauded the recent passage of the NDLEA Act amendment bill, which provides the agency with stronger legal backing to combat drug-related crimes.
He urged the lawmakers to maintain their support, particularly in ensuring adequate funding for operations.
“With more resources, we can fully realise our objectives and rid Nigeria of illicit drug activities,” he said.
In his response, the Chairman of the House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, Hon. Abass Adigun, commended the agency for its relentless efforts.
He assured the NDLEA of the committee’s continued support in advocating for better funding, modern tools, and an improved working environment for its personnel.
Intercepts Cocaine, Arrests Nigerian Returning from Brazil with Drugs in Stomach
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, arrested a 59-year-old Nigerian businessman, Ezeokoli Sylva, who returned from Brazil with 700 grams of cocaine concealed in his stomach.
Sylva, who had spent 35 years in Brazil, was intercepted at the E-Arrival Hall of the airport on 29th November 2024, following his arrival via an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
Moreover, a body scan revealed foreign objects in his stomach, prompting officers to place him under observation. He eventually excreted 29 wraps of cocaine.
The suspect also confessed to purchasing the drugs in São Paulo, Brazil, intending to resell them in Nigeria to raise capital for his business.
Sylva claimed he operated an African store in Brazil, dealing in provisions, shoes, and clothing.
In another operation, NDLEA officers intercepted two drug consignments at a Lagos courier company on 26th November.
The first, containing 200 grams of cocaine, was concealed in local fabrics, while the second, comprising 40 ampoules of pentazocine injection weighing 110 grams, was hidden in cartons.
Both consignments were en route to the United Kingdom.
In Kano, NDLEA operatives arrested three suspects—Jamilu Adamu, Umar Musa, and Bunu Ali—on 28th November with 2,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and over 3 million pills of Exol-5.
Meanwhile, operatives in Lagos seized 2,120 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, at the Ilesan beach.
They also arrested one suspect, Onibogi Muftau, and impounded four vehicles intended for transporting the drugs. In Ogun State, 472 kilograms of the same substance were seized on 25th November in the Idi-Iroko area.
In Edo State, an intelligence-led raid led to the arrest of two suspects, Monday Onyenemue and Evans Omogiede.
Furthermore, the operation resulted in the recovery of 185.6 kilograms of cannabis and a Toyota Previa bus used for transportation.
Amidst these enforcement actions, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns.
These programmes targeted schools, marketplaces, and workplaces nationwide.
Activities also included lectures at Government Girls Secondary School in Kano, God’s Time College in Ekiti, and a traders’ sensitisation event at the 8 Miles Market in Calabar.
Marwa commended the operatives for their dedication, urging them to maintain their balanced approach to reducing drug supply and demand.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to securing Nigeria from the dangers of illicit drugs through proactive measures and collaborations.
At JKNewsMedia, our dedication to delivering reliable news and insightful information to our cherished readers remains unwavering. Every day, we strive to provide you with top-notch content that informs and enlightens. By donating to JKNewsMedia, you directly contribute to our mission of delivering quality journalism that empowers and informs. Your support fuels our commitment to bringing you the latest updates and in-depth analysis. Let's continue to uphold the highest standards of journalism and serve our community with integrity and dedication. Thank you for being a part of the JKNewsMedia family and for your ongoing support.
