KEY POINTS
- NDLEA recovered N280 million from drug traffickers’ assets in August.
- The agency arrested 1,821 suspects and seized over 142,000 kg of drugs.
- NDLEA destroyed 49 hectares of cannabis farms and held public awareness campaigns.
In August 2024, Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) highlighted landmark achievements in combating drug trafficking in Nigeria, seizing more than 280 million Naira in forfeited property. This new report of the agency presents a variety of arrests of traffickers, narcotics seizures, and other aspects related to drug crimes.
The report titled “War on Narcotics” reveals that 1,821 people involving 1,640 men, and 181 women were arrested by the agents of the NDLEA. The agency also busted 142,291 kilograms of different types of drugs in the same year.
Moreover, 415 suspects were charged, out of which 414 were convicted. With NDLEA’s success being affirmed in court and its current onslaught on the sale of illicit substances, it has become instrumental in the fight against the distribution of lethal substances.
Breaking down the August successes
The agency not only took legal action against drug traffickers, but it also shut down huge drug-producing centres as well. From the lists released by NDLEA regarding their operations, the agency was able to burn 49 hectares of cannabis farms in different places, disrupting the drug production line.
Besides these measures, 949 drug addicts were treated, thus showing the NDLEA’s commitment to drug demand reduction. The agency also undertook 338 public sensitization activities for the public to discourage the use of narcotics.
Major arrests and seized assets
In addition, the NDLEA has continued making significant arrests in drug trafficking with two big catches in August. Among such persons was Alhaji Sulaiman Jimoh, a.k.a ‘Olowoidiogede,’ a notorious drug baron in Lagos State. Furthermore, Alhaji Suleman Ganiu Aremu was also charged with smuggling cocaine into Saudi Arabia.
In the same regard, the agency has also noted that it had retrieved the sum of N280,389,068.08 from assets belonging to convicted drug traffickers. The amount goes into increasing the monetary losses that operate drug barons as NDLEA increases heat on their operations.
Plans to combat drug trafficking
According to a report by Punch, NDLEA’s Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), emphasized that the agency remains committed to outpacing drug cartels. He revealed that officers of the Marine Command had undergone advanced training in diving techniques to combat the maritime drug trade. These efforts aim to prevent cocaine shipments from entering Nigeria through sea routes.
With ongoing innovations and a determined workforce, the NDLEA continues its fight to disrupt the drug trade and keep Nigeria’s streets safer.
