The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made significant strides in its battle against drug trafficking and abuse, seizing a staggering 115,244.23 kilograms of illicit drugs from January to March 2024. The data underscores the agency’s relentless efforts to combat the menace.
During this period, the NDLEA apprehended 4,329 drug traffickers, leading to the prosecution of 1,356 cases in court, and an impressive 1,018 convictions secured, showcasing the agency’s commitment to enforcing anti-drug laws.
A detailed breakdown of the seized drugs reveals a substantial haul: 71,150.46 kilograms of cannabis, 76.36 kilograms of cocaine, 77.86 kilograms of heroin, 12.35 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1,833.23 kilograms of Tramadol, 7.19 kilograms of Rohypnol, 3,461.60 kilograms of codeine, 215.27 kilograms of diazepam, and 3,490.51 kilograms of other illicit substances. Additionally, the destruction of 34,919.39 kilograms of cannabis farms underscores the agency’s comprehensive approach to curbing drug production.
The NDLEA’s enforcement efforts led to the arrest of 1,317 individuals (1,190 males, 127 females) in January, followed by 1,427 (1,247 males, 180 females) in February, and 1,585 (1,395 males, 190 females) in March. These arrests resulted in 364 cases (349 males, 15 females) being charged in January, 441 (416 males, 25 females) in February, and 551 (520 males, 31 females) in March, with corresponding convictions of 268 (248 males, 20 females), 384 (361 males, 23 females), and 366 (341 males, 25 females) in the respective months.
In addition to law enforcement actions, the NDLEA provided brief counseling to 1,455 individuals (1,276 males, 179 females) and facilitated the rehabilitation of 312 individuals (308 males, 4 females). Furthermore, extensive outreach efforts enlightened 356,245 individuals (184,075 males, 172,170 females) about the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking.
Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), acknowledged the agency’s progress, attributing it to collaborative efforts with partners. This concerted approach underscores the importance of collective action in combating the multifaceted challenge of drug abuse and trafficking.
