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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, as reported by Eastern Updates, recovered N280,389,068.08 from forfeited assets in the month of August 2024.
This data is derived from a report outlining the agency’s successes in the fight against narcotics during August.
The report, named ‘War on Narcotics,’ highlighted the substantial achievements of the NDLEA in its operations throughout last month.
The report revealed that “The agency made 1,821 arrests—1,640 males and 181 females—and seized 142,291.3kg of various drugs.
“NDLEA charged 415 suspects, securing 414 convictions and asset forfeitures, and destroyed 49.63 hectares of cannabis farms.
“In drug demand reduction, 949 individuals were treated and rehabilitated, and 338 public enlightenment activities were conducted.”
The NDLEA was formed as a federal law enforcement agency under Decree No. 48, which was enacted on December 29, 1989.
Primarily motivated by the growing demand for and trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic substances, the decree was introduced to address the adverse effects on Nigeria’s international image during the 1980s.
Read also: NAFDAC Intercepts Psychoactive Drugs, Busts Factories In SE
The report noted that two major drug barons were apprehended.
“Notably, two major drug barons were apprehended: Alhaji Sulaiman Jimoh (alias Olowoidiogede, known as Temo) was arrested in Mushin, Lagos, and Alhaji Suleman Ganiu Aremu was detained for cocaine trafficking in Saudi Arabia.
“Additionally, N280,389,068.08 was recovered from forfeited assets, and a workshop was held to bolster the Alternative Development Programme,” it said.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Alternative Development programme aims at the elimination or prevention of the production of illicit crops through a methodology encompassing a broader conception of rural development aimed at improving the overall quality of life of the target population by addressing not only income but also education, health, infrastructure, and social services.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, recently stated that equipping Marine Command officers with training and certification in basic diving, advanced open water diving, and full-face mask diving will play a crucial role in thwarting large-scale cocaine shipments to Nigeria.
He conveyed that the agency is dedicated to maintaining a strategic advantage over drug cartels by continuously upgrading its skills and capabilities, ensuring that these traffickers are unable to find ways to smuggle illegal drugs into Nigeria.
