N280 million assets recovered from drug dealers in August – NDLEA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in August 2024 recovered a sum of N280,389,068.08 from forfeited assets, The PUNCH defeated.

This is evident from a report on the war on drugs, which described the agency’s performance in August.

The report titled ‘War on Narcotics’ shows that the NDLEA achieved significant milestones in its activities last month.

The report found that “the agency made 1,821 arrests – 1,640 men and 181 women – and seized 142,291.3 kg of various drugs.

“NDLEA has charged 415 suspects, secured 414 convictions and asset forfeitures, and destroyed 49.63 hectares of cannabis plantations.

“In drug demand reduction, 949 individuals were treated and rehabilitated, and 338 public education activities were carried out.”

The NDLEA is a federal law enforcement agency established by Decree No. 48 of December 29, 1989.

The promulgation of the decree was primarily a response to the rising demand for and trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, which had a negative impact on the international image of Nigerians and Nigeria in the 1980s.

The report noted that two major drug lords had been arrested.

“It is notable that two major drug lords have been arrested: Alhaji Sulaiman Jimoh (alias Olowoidiogede, known as Temo) was arrested in Mushin, Lagos, and Alhaji Suleman Ganiu Aremu was detained for trafficking cocaine in Saudi Arabia.

“In addition, N280,389,068.08 was recovered from forfeited assets, and a workshop was held to strengthen the Alternative Development Programme,” the report said.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Alternative Development Programme aims to eliminate or prevent the production of illicit crops. This is done through a methodology that encompasses a broader vision of rural development and aims to improve the overall quality of life of the target group. This is done not only by paying attention to income, but also to education, health, infrastructure and social services.

Recently, the Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said that training and certification of officers of the agency’s Marine Command in basic diving, advanced open water diving and full-face mask diving would discourage large shipments of cocaine into Nigeria.

He said the agency will remain one step ahead of the drug cartels in terms of skills and capabilities so that they will not have the means to smuggle illegal drugs into Nigeria.