NDLEA nabs 50,901 suspects, secures 9,034 convictions in three years, Marwa says
• ’ Commissions operational facility built by UK Govt’ • UK Deputy High Commissioner pledges more support against illicit drug scourge
IN what could be described as a score card of the agency’s performance in the last three years, the Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa ( Retd), yesterday, said about 50,901 drug offenders, including 46 barons were arrested within the period.
He also said the agency successfully prosecuted and convicted 9,034 suspects, and seized over 7,561 tonnes of illicit substances in the past 38 months.
Marwa, who was speaking In Lagos at the commissioning and handing over ceremony of an operational facility built and donated to NDLEA by the British Government, said the development has sent the right message to drug cartels and their kingpins that Nigeria won’t tolerate their criminal activities.
He commended the UK government for the generous support, saying it will further boost the capability of the anti- narcotic agency in tackling the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
He said: “We gather here not just to commission a new building complex but to celebrate a significant milestone in our ongoing fight against the scourge of illicit drug trafficking.
“Today, we commissioned the newly acquired building, a project made possible through the generous support of the British Government.
“I must begin by expressing our deepest gratitude to the British Government for their unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions to our cause.
“From the outset of our collaboration, the UK has been a steadfast ally in our relentless pursuit to neutralise transnational organised criminal activities, particularly in the realm of illicit drug production and trafficking.
“This building complex stands not only as a physical structure, but as a symbol of the enduring partnership between our two nations in the global fight against drug trafficking. It represents the culmination of years of cooperation, mutual trust, and shared determination to combat one of the most pressing threats to our societies.
“The significance of this project cannot be overstated. It will serve as a vital hub for data analysis and strategic planning in our efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks and apprehend those responsible.”
According to him, with the state- of- the- art facilities and technology at their disposal, they are better equipped than ever before to tackle complex and ever- evolving challenges head- on.
But beyond the bricks and mortar, Marwa said, the building complex embodies the spirit of collaboration and solidarity that defines their partnership with the British Government.
He noted that it is a testament to what can be achieved when nations come together with a shared purpose and a shared commitment to making the world a safer place for all.
He explained that as an agency, NDLEA has undergone a tremendous reformation, with its metamorphosis catalysed by partners like the UK, adding that their operations have undergone substantial reforms, resulting in remarkable achievements within the last three years.
“During this period, the NDLEA achieved significant milestones in its mission to combat drug trafficking and abuse. With a total of 50,901 arrests, including the apprehension of 46 drug barons, our agency has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to bringing those involved in illicit drug activities to justice. “Furthermore, the conviction of 9,034 offenders underscores our relentless pursuit of accountability and deterrence in the fight against drug- related crimes.