15 Drug Kingpins Out Of 3,412 Convicted In 2023 – NDLEA
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has revealed that the agency successfully convicted at least 15 drug kingpins out of 3,412 drug offenders that were prosecuted in 2023,
The Chairman of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa disclosed this on Wednesday while addressing commanders and officers of the agency during an awards and commendations ceremony at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
A total of 104 personnel and 13 state commands that had outstanding performances in the second half of 2023 were recognised and rewarded during the ceremony.
Marwa said, “Indeed, our performance as individuals and collectively could always be better. However, we must appreciate every effort made to help sustain the momentum of our upward trajectory since January 2021 when we launched the renewed fight against illicit substance trafficking.
“According to our statistics, we recorded 13,664 arrests leading to the seizure of 1,606,799.09Kg of assorted illicit drugs and 3,412 convictions with a total of 5,570 offenders charged to court in 2023.
“It is indeed a year that at least 15 drug kingpins bagged 168 years of imprisonment collectively.
“That is a substantial improvement over our performance in 2022. Notably, in 2023, we also ramped up our enforcement action against cannabis farms and carried out at least seven successful major operations, leading to the discovery and destruction of over 206 hectares of cannabis plantations.”
He also noted that the frequency and intensity of NDLEA advocacy throughout 2023 improved considerably, adding that zonal and state commands have been very dedicated to propagating the War Against Drug Abuse advocacy.
He added, “As a result, a total of 2,725 sensitisation lectures and programmes were held in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities among others. A breakdown of the WADA lectures held in 2023 shows: 807 in primary/secondary schools; 146 in tertiary institutions; 488 for out-of-school children; and 264 in worship centres.
“140 in military/paramilitary organisations; 90 in other workplaces, among others. Just as well, our commands and formations have coped with the increased workload of counselling activities leading to the counselling and rehabilitation of 10, 904 drug users.”
He noted that those who have been in the agency longer than 2021 can attest to the fact that the past three years have brought different dynamics to the operations and performance of the NDLEA.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
