President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to eradicate substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria, declaring an intensified war against narcotics as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced the seizure of drugs worth over N1.5 trillion and the arrest of 29,262 suspects within the last 18 months.
Speaking at the grand finale of activities marking the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Abuja on Friday, the president, represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said the federal government “remains committed to deploying innovative and evidence-based strategies to tackle the growing drug menace.”
Tinubu noted that drug abuse posed serious threats to families, communities, national security and human development, stressing that his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda was creating opportunities for young Nigerians through education, skills development and employment to reduce vulnerability to drug abuse and crime.
He called for stronger border surveillance, improved intelligence-gathering and enhanced collaborations among local and international law enforcement agencies to disrupt drug trafficking networks.
He also pledged sustained support for scientific research, forensic laboratories and technology-driven solutions to combat emerging drug threats.
Tinubu commended the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Buba Marwa, and the agency’s personnel for recording remarkable successes against organised drug cartels.
In his address, Marwa disclosed that the agency arrested 29,262 drug suspects, secured 5,225 convictions and seized 5,305,484.88 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs valued at more than N1.5 trillion in the last 18 months.
According to him, the agency dismantled several international drug syndicates, including the notorious Amadi Simon cartel, through collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and law enforcement agencies in Greece, France and Switzerland.
Marwa also announced the arrest of a 63-year-old Nigerian drug baron, Innocent Anochili, alongside three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian accomplices linked to a transnational methamphetamine network.
He said the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse campaign had conducted 6,645 sensitisation programmes nationwide, reaching nearly five million Nigerians, while 13,508 drug users received counselling, treatment and rehabilitation in NDLEA facilities.
The NDLEA boss described the agency’s officers as “the thin green line standing between safety and chaos” and pledged continued efforts to build a safer and drug-free Nigeria.
