The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), has said the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested no fewer than 77,792 drug offenders and seized about 14,847 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs in the last five years.

Marwa disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the NDLEA Commands, Awards and Commendations Ceremony, where outstanding commands and personnel of the agency were honoured for their performance over the past year.

According to him, the seizures significantly disrupted local and transnational drug trafficking networks, sending a clear message that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for illicit drug enterprises.

He said the agency also arrested 128 identified drug barons who played central roles in major trafficking operations across the country, noting that the successes were the result of deliberate reforms aimed at repositioning the NDLEA for effective service delivery.

Marwa explained that over the period under review, the agency secured 14,225 convictions, strengthening deterrence and reinforcing the consequences of drug-related crimes.

He said, “It is therefore heartwarming to note that in the last five years, we recorded significant operational successes, including the arrest of 77,792 drug offenders, including 128 identified drug barons who were central to major trafficking networks.

“We seized a total of 14,847,000 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs, thereby significantly disrupting both local and transnational supply chains.

“In further strengthening the criminal justice response to drug offences, the agency successfully prosecuted and secured convictions against 14,225 offenders, reinforcing deterrence and affirming that drug crime attracts consequences.”

Beyond enforcement, he said the NDLEA intensified efforts at drug demand reduction, revealing that 32,442 drug users benefited from counselling, treatment and rehabilitation programmes nationwide.

He added that the agency conducted 13,735 sensitisation activities under its War Against Drug Abuse campaign across schools, markets, motor parks, workplaces, worship centres and communities to curb substance abuse and promote preventive awareness.

Marwa attributed the achievements to improved intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, capacity building and enhanced welfare for officers and men of the agency, as well as sustained motivation through internal reward mechanisms.

He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for extending his tenure for another five years, describing the decision as a call for greater commitment in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.

The NDLEA boss assured Nigerians that the agency would intensify its operations in the new tenure, vowing that there would be no respite for drug barons, traffickers and couriers, regardless of how long it takes to bring them to justice.

He said, “As we celebrate, we must recognise that the goldfish has no hiding place. The next phase of our operations demands even more grit and more tactical sophistication.

“We will not rest until every drug baron is behind bars, every trafficker is intercepted, every mule is caught, and every single gram of illicit drug is removed from our streets.

“There is no room for complacency. We must remain proactive, intelligence-led, and ruthless in our pursuit of those who seek to destroy our youth and national security. Let me be clear, the objective of this agency remains the total disruption of drug trafficking and the protection of our communities.

“The expectation is sustained pressure until every drug baron, trafficker, courier, and every gram of illicit drugs is taken out of our streets and communities.”

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting public health and national security, stressing that the ultimate objective remains the total disruption of drug trafficking and the creation of a safer, drug-free Nigeria.

Marwa was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA in 2021, after which the agency adopted intelligence-led operations, strengthened inter-agency and international collaboration, and prioritised staff welfare and accountability.

In 2025, President Bola Tinubu approved the extension of his appointment for another five-year term.

Speaking at the event, Marwa pledged to intensify the crackdown on drug trafficking networks and scale up efforts to curb drug abuse nationwide.

At least 50 bandits operating across parts of Katsina and Kano states have been killed in a coordinated air operation carried out by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), security officials have confirmed.

The airstrikes targeted bandits around Musawa, Matazu and Danmusa local government areas of Katsina state, as well as the Tsanyawa axis of Kano state.

The Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu Danmusa, confirmed the development on Monday during a telephone interview in Katsina.

Danmusa said the operation was intelligence-driven and supported by information provided by repentant bandits.

“The military acted on credible intelligence, which enabled the air force to successfully carry out the operation,” he said.

According to the commissioner, those neutralised were foot soldiers loyal to Baidu, a notorious bandit leader who has rejected recent peace efforts in Danmusa and other parts of Katsina state.

He explained that the bandits were struck around Matazu Local Government Area while returning from attacks on communities in the Tsanyawa area of Kano state.

“These criminals have continued to undermine the peace process, and the government will not relent in confronting them,” Danmusa said.

Danmusa stressed that despite ongoing peace initiatives, the state government remains fully committed to combating banditry. He said improved intelligence gathering, collaboration with security agencies and support from local communities had strengthened recent operations.

“With intelligence sharing and synergy between security personnel in both Kano and Katsina states, as well as support from communities and repentant bandits, we are recording successful operations across the two states,” he said.

Eyewitnesses in affected communities, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, confirmed that several armed men were killed during the airstrikes while allegedly planning attacks on farmlands near villages between Matazu and Danmusa, Daily Trust reported.

Residents said weapons and other items believed to belong to the bandits were recovered at the scene. While welcoming the military action, community members urged the government to prioritise the reconstruction of villages destroyed by years of banditry.

They said rebuilding infrastructure, alongside rehabilitation, reintegration and empowerment of affected communities and former bandits, was essential for lasting peace in the region, Vanguard reported.

In a daring attack on Sunday, a gang of bandits struck multiple churches in the Kurmin Wali area of Kajuru Local Government, Kaduna State, abducting over 100 worshippers during ongoing services.

A source with family members among the victims told SaharaReporters that the assailants stormed the churches, forcibly taking congregants.

Reports indicate that around ten people considered vulnerable were released by the attackers.

Authorities and security agencies in the area have been notified, and further details are expected as the situation unfolds.

Kaduna has faced repeated cases of deadly attacks by bandits.

For instance, on January 3, SaharaReporters reported that bandits had killed four members of a family during a deadly overnight attack in Kachia town, Southern Kaduna.

Multiple sources told SaharaReporters that the attack occurred near the newly established Federal University of Applied Science, the headquarters of Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A member of the affected family confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters, identifying the victims as Mr. Bitrus Bahago, his wife, Mrs. Justina Bitrus Bahago, their son, Ibrahim Bitrus Bahago, and another relative, Adam Waziri.

“They are all four killed by the bandits,” the family source said.

According to the source, the attackers arrived in large numbers and opened fire on residents, leaving several others injured.

However, the injured victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.

Residents of Kachia described the attack as terrifying, noting that the community had suffered repeated assaults by armed groups despite its proximity to major institutions and security formations.

Source: Sahara Reporters