Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of the of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba-Marwa, (Retd), has said that a total of 15 drug kingpins out of 3, 412 offenders were successfully prosecuted and convicted in 2023 bagging a total of 168 years imprisonment term.

He disclosed this while addressing commanders, officers and men of the Agency during an awards and commendations ceremony at its national headquarters, yesterday in Abuja

Awarding 104 personnel and 13 commands that had outstanding performances in the 2nd half of 2023, the Chairman said “Indeed, our performance as individuals and as a collective could always be better; nonetheless, 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, 799.09 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 because at least 15 drug kingpins bagged 168 years of imprisonment collectively. That is a substantial improvement over our performance in 2022.

Marwa noted that 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 NDLEA boss also explained that the recognition and appreciation of outstanding performance will help to create awareness about the dangers of substance abuse aimed at prevention as well as encourage those already in drugs dealing to seek treatment.

He adds that the agency has continue to intensified its war against drug abuse, (WADA), advocacy initiative nationwide.

“The frequency and intensity of our advocacy throughout the year improved considerably. Zonal and state commands have been very dedicated to propagating WADA advocacy.

As a result, a total of 2,725 sensitisation lectures and programmes were held in schools, worship centres, work places 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 work places, among others,” he said.

According to him NDLEA formations and command have coped with the increased workload of counselling activities leading to the counselling and rehabilitation of 10, 904 drug users.

He said 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 agency, a development that has attracted commendations from home and abroad.

“This is further reinforced by the content of a letter two weeks ago from the National Assembly conveying the decision of the national parliament to ‘commend the efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the fight against illicit drug consumption and trafficking.

“This recognition by both Chambers of the National Assembly should serve as a further morale booster and a reminder that your efforts are not going unnoticed.

“I must also say that the NDLEA management has no misgivings about instituting the Commands Awards and Commendations. This twice-a-year event, though a reward system, serves as an inward-looking glass for critical self-analysis and therefore a mechanism that puts the agency on its toes,” he adds.

He also assured that he will not relent in his effort to improve the welfare of the NDLEA workforce. “All the issues we are working on will soon come to fruition in a matter of time. 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.”