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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested nearly 78,000 drug offenders and seized close to 15,000 tonnes of illicit substances over the past five years.
NDLEA's Chairman, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (rtd), disclosed the figures on Tuesday during an award and commendation ceremony for NDLEA personnel at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Marwa disclosed the operations had dealt a great blow to both domestic and transnational drug trafficking networks.
According to him, a total of 77,792 suspects were arrested between 2021 and 2025, including 128 individuals identified as drug barons who played central roles in major trafficking rings.
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During the same period, he added, the agency seized 14,847,000 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs, disrupting supply chains across several regions.
He stated that the NDLEA secured 14,225 convictions within the timeframe, describing the outcome as a clear demonstration that drug-related crimes attract firm legal consequences in Nigeria.
Beyond enforcement, Marwa said the agency intensified efforts to reduce drug demand nationwide.
He further asserted that 32,442 people benefited from NDLEA counselling, treatment and rehabilitation programmes, while 13,735 sensitisation activities were carried out under the War Against Drug Abuse campaign in schools, markets, motor parks, workplaces, places of worship and local communities.
Marwa reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to sustain the momentum, pledging continued action to track down drug barons, intercept traffickers and rid Nigerian streets of illicit substances.