Tag: NDLEA

….arrest 294 suspects

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has cautioned traditional rulers in Ondo State against selling land to individuals cultivating illicit drugs, particularly cannabis, within their domains.

The warning followed the arrest of 294 suspects in connection with drug-related offences in the first quarter of 2025.

Speaking at the NDLEA command headquarters in Akure, the state commandant, Nanzing Daniel Salah, disclosed that many cannabis farms were discovered in forest areas owned or managed by traditional institutions.

He raised concerns that proceeds from these illegal farms are often used to finance criminal activities, noting that continued cultivation is severely damaging the state’s forests and natural resources.

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“Traditional institutions should stop selling land to drug cultivators. Cannabis is planted in the forest, and the proceeds from the trade are used to fund crime. The continuous planting of cannabis sativa is depleting our forests and natural resources. Lands used for cultivating cannabis can no longer be used for food production, thereby aggravating food scarcity,” Salah warned.

The commandant added that the agency, in collaboration with other security agencies, had destroyed 29,656 hectares of cannabis farms and seized 22,710.585 kilograms of various illicit drugs between January and June 2025.

Salah also lamented the complicity of some communities, accusing them of shielding drug traffickers instead of assisting law enforcement with credible intelligence.

He noted that the NDLEA had successfully rehabilitated 130 drug users during the period under review, secured the conviction of 33 suspects, and forfeited five vehicles to the federal government.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declined assent to the NDLEA Establishment Amendment Bill.

In a letter read yesterday at plenary by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the President said he was declining assent in line with the provisions of Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution.

He said the amendment to the Bill would allow the agency to keep a percentage of the proceeds of drug crime for its operations.

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The President stressed that this conflicted with the provisions of the law, which provides that all proceeds of crime be paid into a dedicated account.

According to him, only the President is allowed by law to order a withdrawal from such an account with the approval of the National Assembly.

President Tinubu said this promotes the spirit of accountability and mutual respect between the Executive and the Legislature.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) has established a mini drug treatment and rehabilitation centre in Damaturu, Yobe.

Mr Abdulazeez Ogungboye, the state NDLEA Commander, stated this while briefing journalists in Damaturu on Thursday, as part of activities marking the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the theme of the 2025 campaign is : “ The Evidence is Clear : Invest in Prevention.”

Ogungboye noted that the centre, which had since commenced operation, was one of the numerous achievements of the agency in the state.

“A total of nine drug dependents were admitted to the facility. Out of this number, eight have successfully been rehabilitated, discharged and reunited with their families, while one is still undergoing rehabilitation.

“One of them is empowered to start a business centre through the generosity of an anonymous donor,” he said.

The commander said in view of the high cost of services at the centre, the agency went into collaboration with philanthropists in the state to assist in upsetting the bills of poor clients.

Ogungboye advised drug dependents in the 17 local government areas of the state to liaise with NDLEA zonal commanders nearest to them on how to access the facility, which was the first of its kind in the history of the state.

He also said that between June 26, 2024 and June 26, 2025, 438.73 kg of various illicit drugs were confiscated.

Read Also: NDLEA arrests 127, seizes over 1,200kg of illicit drugs in Bauchi

The commander said that 300.696kg of the drugs seized were cannabis, while psychotropic substances stood at 137.288kg.

Ogungboye said that 56 drug abuse suspects were convicted, 148 drug dependents benefitted from counselling, while 96 drug cases were pending in various courts.

He commended Gov Mai Mala Buni and sister agencies for their various support to the agency to execute its mandate effectively.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other activities of the week included a road walk from the Emir of Damaturu’s palace to the agency’s headquarters.

“There have been religious sermons at the Damaturu Central Mosque on June 20 and ECWA Goodnews Church, Damaturu, on June 22.

“The collaborative efforts of these religious organisations were targeted at creating drug abuse awareness among adherents of the two major religions,” he said.

(NAN)

The Bauchi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of 127 suspects and the seizure of over 1,200 kilograms of illicit drugs between January and June 2025.

Speaking at a press briefing in Bauchi on Thursday, State Commander CN Ali Aminu revealed that the arrests comprised 118 men and 9 women. He added that 28 convictions had been secured so far, while 18 cases remain pending in court.

Aminu said the command also rehabilitated and counselled 32 drug users, mostly through brief intervention programmes.

In total, the agency confiscated 1,205.174kg of various illegal substances, including 874.585kg of Cannabis Sativa, 330.588kg of psychotropic substances, and 1.06 grams of Methamphetamine, commonly known as “ice.”

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Highlighting the significance of this year’s anti-drug campaign theme, “The evidence is clear. Invest in prevention, break the cycle,” Commander Aminu emphasised that prevention remains the most powerful tool in tackling drug abuse, especially among vulnerable populations such as youths and women.

“Our efforts shine a light on prevention as the most essential strategy for halting the flow of drugs that fuels organised crime. This is done through the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, alongside continuous education, sensitisation, and awareness programs,” he stated.

This is as he issued a stern warning to drug users and traffickers to steer clear of Bauchi State or be prepared to face the full wrath of the law.

“The war against illicit drug use and trafficking is on. Anyone caught within Bauchi will not be spared,” Aminu declared.

The press briefing marked Bauchi’s official commemoration of the United Nations’ annual anti-drug day, observed globally every June 26.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State Command, says about four to five out of 10 undergraduates are into drugs.

The state NDLEA Commander, Olayinke Joe-Fadile, disclosed this in Ibadan on Wednesday during the command’s rally in commemoration of the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The day, also known as World Drug Day, is marked every June 26 to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the 2025 celebration is “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention, Break the Circle”.

According to Joe-Fadile, the menace of drug abuse is getting more worrisome as statistics have shown that younger people are getting exposed to drug use and offences.

“We are intensifying efforts on our campaigns across primary and secondary schools, including tertiary institutions in the state, because the demography of people using drugs is getting lower by the day.

“We now can see children from age nine upward taking drugs.

“The statistics are also showing us that about four to five out of 10 undergraduates are into drugs,” he said.

The NDLEA boss said that the 2025 campaign highlights the need for coordinated long-term action to break the cycle of organised crime and drug trafficking.

This, he said, could be achieved by addressing root causes, investing in prevention and building stronger health, education and social systems.

He noted that the command had, in the last few months, arrested 150 persons for drug-related offences and burnt about 11 tons of different kinds of seized illicit substances.

Joe-Fadile cautioned that drug users could have their internal organs destroyed, leading to a slow and painful death.

He warned that the NDLEA would not relent in its efforts to ensure that manufacturers, producers, and sellers of illicit drugs in Oyo State face the full wrath of the law.

“We believe that every day is for the thieves, but one day is for the owner.

“NDLEA will soon knock at the doors of drug peddlers to pick them for prosecution and necessary legal trials.

Read Also: NDLEA seizes over 800kg of drugs, arrests 312 suspects in Akwa Ibom

He said that most traditional leaders in the state had been inducted as NDLEA ambassadors to carry out campaigns against drug abuse among their constituents.

“We have also discovered that many people respect and listen to religious leaders, hence we are collaborating with them, using their platforms to reach out to many people,” he said.

NAN reports that participants at the rally include officers from the Nigerian Army, Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigeria Customs Service.

In addition are the Nigeria Immigration Service and the National Youth Service Corps, among others.

(NAN)

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Akwa Ibom State has seized a total of 803.672 kilograms of hard drugs and arrested 312 suspects between May and June 2025.

State Commander of the NDLEA, Mrs. Obot Bassey, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press conference in Uyo to commemorate the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

She revealed that out of the 312 suspects apprehended, 261 were male and 51 were female. The agency also secured the conviction of 38 drug offenders within the review period.

As part of its rehabilitation efforts, Bassey said the Command treated and rehabilitated 43 male drug-dependent individuals and carried out drug prevention education across 91 locations in the state.

This year’s International Day is themed: “The Evidence Is Clear: Invest in Prevention, #BreakTheCircle”, which she said reflects a deliberate shift from reactive measures to prevention, driven by data, research, and evidence-based strategies.

“From June 2024 to May 2025, we have arrested 312 suspects, made up of 261 males and 51 females, and we have seized a quantity of drugs, 803. 672 kg.

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“We have prosecuted and convicted 38 drug offenders, and we have carried out drug addiction prevention at 91 locations across Akwa Ibom state, and we have rehabilitated 43 males and counselled 179 persons,” Bassey said.

Bassey said that drug abuse was not just a criminal issue but a public health issue, stressing that prevention is a shared responsibility.

She called on parents, educators, religious leaders and community members to join hands in creating a supportive environment that fosters healthy lifestyles and deters drug use.

The Akwa Ibom drug law enforcement commander said that apart from enforcing the laws, they also ensure the protection of the future of Nigerian children.

Bassey reminded the youth that drugs negatively impact people’s health and their well-being in society.

She called on the government, philanthropists, individuals and institutions to invest massively in drug use preventive measures.

The commander commended the state government for their support and appealed for logistics vehicles to the command to enable them to move across the 31 local government areas of the state.

The commander said that this year’s theme calls for the continuation of sustained investment in prevention.

She thanked sister security agencies in the state for their collaboration and cooperation to ensure a drug-free society.