NDLEA smashes records: 18,500 arrests, 2.6m kg drugs seized in 2024

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), has stated that the agency’s consistent achievements in drug supply and demand reduction continue to validate the support received from the United States and other international partners.

Marwa made this assertion on Tuesday, 7th January 2025, during the commissioning of a central exhibit office donated by the United States government at the NDLEA headquarters annex in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The facility was officially handed over by the U.S. Consul General, Ms. Jo Ellen Georg, alongside senior American officials.

Marwa lauded the United States as a steadfast ally in Nigeria’s fight against drug-related crimes, noting that the collaboration has significantly enhanced the NDLEA’s operational efficiency.

“Today, I am particularly pleased to acknowledge the donation of this central exhibit custodians’ office, which underscores the critical need for secure handling of evidence. This contribution strengthens our operational framework, enhances accountability, and invests in the security and future of our nations,” he said.

Reflecting on the agency’s performance, Marwa disclosed that in 2024 alone, the NDLEA seized over 2.6 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs and arrested more than 18,500 offenders.

The agency secured 3,250 convictions, including 10 drug barons, destroyed over 220 hectares of cannabis farms, and rehabilitated more than 8,200 individuals. Additionally, over 3,000 advocacy programmes were conducted nationwide in schools, markets, workplaces, and communities.

Despite these strides, Marwa emphasised that the fight against drug trafficking and abuse is far from over. He called for sustained support and collaboration from the U.S. government and other stakeholders to address evolving challenges.

“Our unending quest for support includes capacity building, advanced training, cutting-edge technology, intelligence sharing, and enhanced operational logistics,” Marwa added.

The U.S. Consul General, Ms. Jo Ellen Georg, commended Marwa for leveraging the U.S.-Nigeria partnership to deliver outstanding results in combating drug crimes.

She highlighted the significance of the donation, stating that it would provide NDLEA officers with secure spaces for investigations and evidence processing.

She also noted that the U.S. invested $500,000 in 2024 to modernise the NDLEA’s forensic laboratory in Lagos, equipping it with state-of-the-art technology to strengthen drug analysis and crime scene investigations.

“Over the years, our joint efforts have disrupted drug trafficking networks, dismantled clandestine meth labs, and enhanced forensic analysis capabilities. We look forward to deepening our collaboration to combat narcotics and ensure the safety of both our societies,” Georg said.

The NDLEA boss also expressed gratitude to the U.S. DEA attaché in Nigeria, Mr. Robert Bascoe, and the U.S. Africa Command for their unwavering commitment and support.