According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, 15 drug kingpins out of 3,412 drug offenders successfully tried and convicted in 2023 received a total of 168 years in jail.
The NDLEA Chairman, Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, revealed this on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing the agency’s commanders and officers during an award and recognition ceremony.
Marwa stated that staff performance, both individually and collectively, might be improved, and that the agency will always welcome any effort made to assist maintain the momentum of the upward trend since January 2021.
He stated that the agency made 13,664 arrests, resulting in the recovery of 1,606,799.09kg of various illicit narcotics, and 3,412 convictions, with a total of 5,570 defendants prosecuted in 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 in our performances in 2022.
“In 2023, we also ramped up our enforcement action against cannabis farms and carried out, at least, seven successful major operations.
“This, however, led to the discovery and destruction of over 206 hectares of cannabis plantations,” he said.
“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 organizations and 90 in other work places.
“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,” Marwa said.
“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.
“Each time we gather here to honour exemplary officers and commands, we are making a loud statement that we value meritocracy and that hard work is a virtue we hold in high esteem.
“We are trying to normalise good performances,” he added.
