10m kilogrammes of illicit medicine seized, 57,792 suspects arrested- NDLEA

The Nationwide Drug Legislation Enforcement Company (NDLEA) mentioned it seized greater than 10 million kilogrammes of assorted illicit medicine between 2021 and 2024, with 57,792 suspects arrested throughout the identical interval.

The NDLEA Chairman, retired, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa disclosed this throughout the signing of the partnership settlement with the Common Directorate of Narcotics Management (GDNC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Monday.

In an announcement by the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi in Abuja, Marwa mentioned that previously decade, Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have maintained a robust partnership in combating drug trafficking. Journey guides

This, he mentioned, was significantly by intelligence sharing and joint enforcement efforts.

“Because of this, within the final 4 years, we have now revamped 57,792 arrests, together with 65 drug barons, resulting in the seizure of greater than 10 million kilograms of various illicit medicine.

“We’ve additionally recorded the conviction of over 10,572 offenders whereas a complete of twenty-two, 047 drug customers have been handled and rehabilitated throughout our 33 therapy centres throughout the identical interval,” Marwa mentioned.

The NDLEA boss, nevertheless, acknowledged how previous collaboration between each nations had resulted in quite a few arrests and drug seizures.

“Over the previous 18 years, Nigerian airports have recorded a number of drug-related arrests on outbound flights to Saudi Arabia.Journey guides

“At Malam Aminu Kano Worldwide Airport, (MAKIA), Nnamdi Azikiwe Worldwide Airport (NAIA), and Murtala Muhammed Worldwide (MMIA), a complete of 44 suspects have been apprehended throughout 35 instances involving departing flights.

“Between November 12, 2007 and January 15, 2025, these operations led to the seizure of 37.6kg of cocaine, together with different prohibited substances.

“Saudi authorities have additionally supplied intelligence resulting in vital seizures, together with the interception of 74.12kg of Captagon opioids at Apapa Port, Lagos, in September 2021.

“The cargo, originating from Syria, was beneath surveillance for 5 months earlier than NDLEA seized it, marking the primary recognized Captagon bust in Africa,” he mentioned.

Equally, Marwa mentioned that Saudi authorities have performed a key function in joint investigations involving Nigerians apprehended for drug trafficking.

“In August 2023, after the arrest of Zulaihat Adam, Binta Nasidi, and Rashidat Abdullahi in Jeddah, the NDLEA swiftly traced and detained their accomplices in Nigeria. Journey guides

“This additionally led to us dismantling the community that facilitated the operation”, he added.

(NAN)