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The NDLEA seizes drugs worth more than N1.5 trillion in just 18 months, the agency’s chairman has revealed, underlining the scale of trafficking in Nigeria.
The Gist
- NDLEA seizes drugs worth over N1.5trn
- 29,262 suspects arrested in 18 months
- Secured 5,225 convictions, chairman says
Chairman Mohammed Buba Marwa shared the figures at the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking event in Abuja.
How the NDLEA seizes drugs
Marwa said the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency intercepted more than 5.3 million kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs over the period.
The agency arrested 29,262 drug suspects and secured 5,225 convictions. The combined value of the seized narcotics topped N1.5 trillion.
The figures point to both a busy enforcement drive and a stubbornly large drug trade across the country.
Cartels dismantled
Marwa said the agency broke up several international drug syndicates during the period. One was the notorious Amadi Simon cartel.
The operations involved cooperation with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and agencies in Greece, France and Switzerland.
Investigators also arrested a 63-year-old Nigerian drug baron, Innocent Anochili. He was held alongside three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian accomplices linked to a transnational methamphetamine network.
Presidential backing
President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to fight substance abuse and trafficking. He addressed the event in Abuja.
Tinubu commended the NDLEA chairman and personnel for their work against organised drug cartels. He pledged continued support for the agency.
Officials say arrests must be matched by prevention and treatment to cut demand over the long term.
A wider war on drugs
The agency has stepped up raids at airports, seaports and land borders in recent years.
Officials say traffickers constantly change routes and concealment methods to evade detection.
Cannabis remains the most commonly seized substance, but synthetic drugs are a growing concern.
Methamphetamine networks, in particular, have drawn international attention and joint operations.
The agency has also expanded its focus on treatment, opening counselling and rehabilitation services.
Drug abuse among young people has been linked to rising crime and mental health challenges across the country.
Campaigners have called for more funding for prevention, especially in schools and rural areas.
Border communities are often the first line in the fight against smuggling.
The agency says intelligence-sharing has improved its strike rate against traffickers.
Prosecutors have pushed for faster trials to keep convicted dealers off the streets.
Families affected by addiction continue to call for more accessible treatment.
Health workers stress that addiction is a medical issue, not only a criminal one.
Balancing punishment with care remains a central challenge for policymakers.
The agency insists the pressure on cartels will not let up.
Why it matters
Drug abuse is closely tied to crime, insecurity and health problems across Nigeria. Enforcement alone cannot solve a challenge rooted in poverty and demand.
The agency has paired raids with rehabilitation and school sensitisation campaigns. The aim is to reduce both supply and the number of new users.
Large seizures show enforcement is active, but the persistent flow of narcotics signals how entrenched the trade has become.
Suspects named in the cases remain innocent until proven guilty in court. The convictions and prosecutions will continue to test the agency’s reach in the months ahead.
Source: NDLEA
