The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has said it secured the conviction of 9,263 drug offenders out of the 45,853 suspects arrested across the country within the last 30 months.
The agency also said it seized over 8.5 million kilograms of various illicit drugs in multiple operations carried out by its personnel within the same period.
The spokesperson for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Mohammed Buba Marwa, revealed the statistics while presenting commendation letters to 220 personnel for outstanding performance.
According to the statement, the arrests, seizures, and prosecutions have contributed significantly to reducing the demand and supply of illicit drugs in the country.
Marwa was quoted as saying, “Today, we specifically recognise those who have gone above and beyond. We celebrate those who, despite facing immense danger and relentless temptation, chose the path of integrity, selflessness, and uncompromising adherence to our mandate.
“Your commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Tinubu has yielded tremendous results in the past 30 months in our two major areas — drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction.
This has led to 45,853 arrests; the seizure of over 8.5 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs; and the conviction of 9,263 offenders.
“Also, 26,613 drug users have been counselled and rehabilitated in our treatment facilities across the country, while a total of 9,848 War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation activities were conducted in schools, workplaces, markets, motor parks, worship centres, and communities, among others, within the same period.”
The NDLEA boss lamented that combating drug trafficking has remained a challenging task but said it was necessary to reward officers to further encourage their commitment.
He said, “Without mincing words, the challenge we face is monumental. Drug abuse, trafficking, and the associated criminal enterprises represent a direct and existential threat to the social fabric, economic stability, and national security of Nigeria. They fuel crime, corrupt our youth, and provide resources for terrorism and insurgency.
“But for every kilogram of cocaine intercepted, for every clandestine laboratory dismantled, and for every major drug kingpin apprehended, a critical blow is delivered to these criminal networks. These victories are, no doubt, the direct result of your dedication.”
Marwa noted that the support from the Federal Government had further enhanced the agency’s capacity to combat drug peddling and trafficking.
He also extended appreciation to international partners, the media, the Senate, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and other stakeholders in the fight against illicit drugs.
The NDLEA has increasingly been documenting large-scale seizures of illicit drugs as part of its efforts to suppress supply.