The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has revealed that the agency recorded 45,853 arrests, seized over 8.5 million kilograms of illicit drugs, and secured 9,263 convictions in the last 30 months under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Marwa disclosed this on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, during a ceremony where he presented commendation letters and awards to 220 outstanding NDLEA personnel and decorated 15 senior officers with new ranks.

Commending the operatives for their dedication, Marwa said the achievements were clear evidence of the agency’s unwavering commitment to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Your commitment has yielded tremendous results in our two major planks of drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction,” he stated. “In the past 30 months, we have recorded 45,853 arrests; seized over 8.5 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs; and secured the conviction of 9,263 offenders. Additionally, 26,613 drug users have been counselled and rehabilitated, while 9,848 War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities have been carried out nationwide.”

Marwa, who has consistently held the commendation and awards ceremony for over four years, noted that despite the progress made, the challenge of drug abuse and trafficking remains daunting.

“Without mincing words, the challenge we face is monumental,” he said. “Drug abuse, trafficking, and related criminal enterprises pose a direct threat to Nigeria’s social fabric, economic stability, and national security. They fuel crime, corrupt our youth, and fund terrorism and insurgency.”

He emphasized that every successful operation by the agency delivers a critical blow to drug cartels and criminal networks, acknowledging that such victories stem from the officers’ dedication and integrity.

Highlighting the importance of motivation and welfare, Marwa explained that the NDLEA’s reward system was designed to sustain morale and productivity among officers.

“We uphold our tradition of rewarding virtues such as hard work, loyalty, sacrifice, and integrity. The CCEO Commands Awards and Commendations remain a vital way for management to appreciate the workforce,” he said. “Over the past four and a half years, this system has enhanced our collective ethos. But let this celebration remind us that there is still much work ahead.”

The NDLEA boss further urged officers to continue operating within the agency’s standard operating procedures to ensure professionalism and protection in the line of duty.

Marwa also expressed appreciation to both local and international partners for their continued support, naming the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the UK Border Force, and the governments of France and Germany among key supporters.

He thanked the National Assembly Committees on Narcotic Drugs, the Ministry of Justice, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their consistent backing, which he said had strengthened the agency’s capacity to deliver on its mandate.

“We are optimistic that this support will continue, enabling us to fulfil our mandate of making Nigeria a drug-free country,” he added, while also appreciating Nigerians for embracing the agency’s reforms.