Fifteen Drug Barons Convicted In 2023, Bagged 168 Years Jail Term — NDLEA

No fewer than 15 drug barons bagged a collective sentence of 168 jail terms in 2023 after they were prosecuted and convicted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Marwa, disclosed this on Wednesday while delivering his speech at an awards and commendations ceremony in Abuja.

The agency had recognised and awarded 104 personnel and 13 commands for their outstanding performances in the second half of 2023.

The NDLEA boss, while addressing officers, appreciated their efforts to help sustain its momentum since January 2021, when it launched the renewed fight against illicit substance trafficking.

Marwa said, “According to our statistics, we recorded 13,664 arrests leading to the seizure of 1,606, 799.09 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and 3,412 convictions with a total of 5,570 offenders charged to court in 2023.

“It’s 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.”

The agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy also yielded results in 2023, and according to Marwa, 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; 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 stated.

He further assured the officers of the agency’s commitment to improving the welfare system.

He added, “For instance, we fought hard to have an amended NDLEA Act last year. Today, the bill is at the 10th National Assembly receiving due attention, and we are optimistic that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.

“I am also pleased to inform you that our barracks projects have recorded progress.

“Before the middle of the year, some of our barracks will be ready for commissioning. These few examples of the efforts going on behind the scenes are evidence that we are working in your best interest.”

He, however, warned that the agency will be firm on disciplinary issues.

“We don’t take infractions lightly. Every officer of NDLEA is expected to work within the ambit of our core values and strictly adhere to our standard operating procedure. We expect our officers to be the epitome of service, selflessness and sacrifice,” he said.