The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA says that some 15 drug trafficking offenders prosecuted by the agency in 2023 received a total of 168 years of imprisonment.
The Director General of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa stated this during an awards and commendations ceremony for its personnel at its national headquarters in Abuja.
A statement issued by the Director, Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi said that Marwa disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja.
“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 that at least 15 drug kingpins bagged 168 years of imprisonment collectively. That is a substantial improvement over our performance in 2022.”
Marwa said that the NDLEA, due to intense efforts in 2023 also ramped up its 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 statement added that a total of 104 personnel and 13 commands that had outstanding performances in the 2nd half of 2023 were recognized and rewarded.
