NDLEA arrests 11,340, convicts 1,111 in 11 months

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it had arrested 11, 340 and convicted 1,111 for illicit drugs related offences between January and November nationwide.

The Chairman, NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, said this during the 4th quarter award of excellence ceremony and presentations of commendation letters on Tuesday in Abuja.

Marwa said the figures of the agency’s Drug Supply Reduction activities had skyrocketed.

He noted that the figures were balanced by equally impressive drug demand reduction statistics.

He said 11, 340 arrests were made and 1,111 convictions in 11 months with 7,066 counselled and rehabilitated, all in the agency’s facilities.

“During the 11 months, we have successfully mopped up over 3.3 million kilograms of assorted drugs; away from the streets of Nigeria; away from criminals, terrorists and bandits; away from our youths,” he said.

The NDLEA boss said these figures might not mean much to some persons, adding that nothing was big or small except by comparison.

“By comparing these results with those of previous years, one can see a difference so glaring and begs for the question ‘what is the secret of this transformation?’

“The secret is the grace of God and motivation. Otherwise, we are still the same officers and men. We are still using the same equipment.

“Not even our salaries have increased, not yet. But we are no longer stuck in the same demoralising circumstances that prevailed for decades,” he said.