The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mohamed Buba Marwa, in a statement by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, has warned that reluctant drug traffickers and cartels will face tougher time in 2023 if they fail to back out of the illicit drug business.
Marwa gave the warning on Wednesday at a press briefing at the NDLEA national headquarters, Abuja.
While giving an update on efforts by the agency to curb the abuse and dissemination of illicit substances in the country, Marwa said, “Last year, I issued a New Year appeal to them and also warned that those who refused to heed the warning will find themselves in a difficult situation.
“Already, we have 34 barons in our net and they are facing the music in court. We have secured orders for the temporary forfeiture of their assets. With our prosecution being topnotch, they can look forward to a long time in prison and final forfeiture of their wealth and assets.
“Those involved in the illicit drug trade should take a cue from our actions. They can again look forward to a tough time this year.
“In these two years, we arrested 26, 458 drug traffickers, among them, 34 barons. In 24 months, we successfully prosecuted 3,733 offenders who were convicted and handed various jail terms in court. Of the conviction figure, 2,346 were recorded in 2022 alone, which is the highest in the history of the Agency and almost doubled the highest ever recorded in the 33 years of NDLEA. This is not happenchance but a result of professionalism, determination, commitment and hard work of our officers, men and women.”
He added that the anti narcotic agency received support from its international partners, chiefly the UNODC, counterparts and governments of the United States, France, Germany, United Kingdom, India, and South Korea.
While assuring Nigerians that the Agency is firmly on the task of making Nigeria safe from illicit substances, the NDLEA boss said such may sound like impossibility but “it is achievable.”
He also warned citizens to be wary in their dealings with people of questionable wealth and expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari and other stakeholders for their support in the total transformation of the Agency.
