Kaduna: The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, announced that the agency seized 1.3 billion pills of Tramadol and 4.4 million bottles of Codeine between January 2024 and June 2025. Marwa made this disclosure during a plenary session at the two-day interactive Session on Government-citizens' Engagement held on Tuesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Marwa highlighted the massive scale of the drug haul, stating that a single Tramadol pill is valued at N1000, suggesting that the street value of the seized pills could be nearly one trillion naira. He emphasized the potential dangers of such a large quantity of drugs circulating and the financial power it could provide to criminal elements like terrorists or bandits.
Marwa further detailed the agency's efforts since President Tinubu assumed office in 2023. The NDLEA has seized 5,555 tonnes of illicit drugs, equivalent to 200 trailers, and arrested 2,000 drug traffickers. The agency has also achieved 8,682 convictions and rehabilitated over 24,000 individuals. Marwa credited these achievements to the support from President Tinubu and highlighted ongoing advocacy efforts targeting various community spaces to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
On the topic of rehabilitation, Marwa mentioned that President Tinubu approved the construction of seven new rehabilitation centers to supplement the existing 30. This expansion aims to ensure that each state in the country has a facility. Furthermore, the president has authorized the establishment of one modern rehabilitation center in each geopolitical zone, with plans to begin construction within the year.
Marwa praised the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, describing it as a comprehensive approach to tackling drug and substance abuse by addressing underlying issues such as idleness, poverty, and unemployment. He also acknowledged the proactive measures taken by the governments of Kwara and Kaduna in combating drug abuse and encouraged other states to follow their example. Marwa emphasized the importance of family and community involvement in addressing the issue, suggesting that societal change begins with effective parenting and family support.