The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested more than 16,304 drug suspects and seized 4.5 million kilograms of illicit substances between January and October 2025, the agency’s Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, has disclosed.
Marwa made the revelation on Wednesday at the 7th Security and Emergency Management Awards and Lecture (SAEMA) in Abuja, noting that the agency is tackling Nigeria’s drug challenges through a two-pronged strategy: Supply Reduction and Demand Reduction.
Supply Reduction focuses on dismantling drug supply chains through intelligence-led operations, interdictions, and international collaboration.
“From our borders to airports and seaports, our officers remain resolute, executing their duties without fear or favour. In the first 10 months of this year alone, we recorded over 16,304 arrests and successfully prosecuted around 3,000 offenders, with hundreds of cases ongoing. We also seized 4.5 million kilograms of illicit substances and destroyed 612.3 hectares of cannabis plantations,” Marwa said.
Demand Reduction aims to reduce the desire for drugs among users through public education, treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
“Enforcement alone is not enough. People must be educated about the dangers of drug use, persuaded not to experiment, and supported to overcome dependence. To this end, we launched the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), a grassroots-driven campaign reaching schools, markets, places of worship, traditional institutions, and communities,” he explained.
Marwa said that in 2025 alone, the NDLEA conducted over 3,765 WADA activities, including public lectures, sensitization visits, and community engagements. Officers across the agency’s 36 state commands, 14 zonal commands, and 10 strategic commands continue to carry out weekly outreach initiatives.
He further highlighted NDLEA’s rehabilitation efforts:
“We run 30 rehabilitation centres nationwide, providing medical treatment, counselling, and reintegration support for drug-dependent individuals. We are expanding these facilities and partnering with state governments, NGOs, and international allies to ensure recovery is accessible to all,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA Chairman also expressed appreciation to the organisers of the SAEMA 2025 ceremony—including Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), and the International Emergency Management Society (TIMES)—for honouring institutions and individuals safeguarding Nigeria.
