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NDLEA arrests 31,675, seizes 6.3 million kg drugs in 29 months
The fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking has yielded significant results in the last 29 months with the arrest of 31,675 drug offenders, this is according to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
The NDLEA added that of the 31,675 arrested offenders, 5, 147 were prosecuted and convicted, while over 6.3 million kilogrammes of assorted drugs were seized within the same period.
This was as the agency charged citizens to stop the stigmatisation of drug users, adding that it discourages them from seeking treatment, which in turn has serious socio-economic repercussions for individuals and their families.
The Secretary, NDLEA, Mr Shadrach Haruna, who represented the Chairman, Buba Marwa, made this known in Abuja on Monday during a joint press briefing with the country representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Mr Oliver Stolpe, to flag off weeklong activities marking the 2023 World Drug Day.
Haruna said, “This year’s theme, ‘People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention,’ is in furtherance of the whole-of-society approach to taming the drug scourge. This theme is especially pertinent to the Nigerian situation at the moment.
“In the past two and a half years, we have strengthened our law enforcement efforts to cut down on the supply of drugs in society. In 29 months, we have arrested 31,675 drug offenders, including 35 barons; successfully prosecuted and convicted 5,147 of them; and over 11,000 other cases still pending in court, while 23,725 drug users have been counselled and rehabilitated, the majority of them through brief interventions.
“At least 6.3 million kilogrammes of various illicit substances have been recovered in response to our efforts to sweep up drugs and shut down the distribution channels. We have destroyed 852.142 hectares of cannabis farms and dismantled three clandestine methamphetamine laboratories. I can assure you that even as we speak, NDLEA agents are busy with interdiction activities somewhere.”
He further noted that drug supply reduction is, however, only one of the components of the equation, noting that another crucial component is drug demand reduction, which operationally means prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
In his remark, Stolpe emphasised the benefits of international cooperation in criminal justice matters, with the specific target of dismantling trafficking networks involved in the terrible trade.
“Long overdue is the need to make sure that the public and primary healthcare providers are better prepared to take basic drug counselling needs, knowing how to deal with people suffering from drug use disorders,” Mr Stolpe said while commending the NDLEA for the successes recorded so far in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
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[For The Record]: Acting IGP Disu Unveils His Plans for NPF, Citizens
The road ahead is not smooth,” he said, emphasising:” there will be resistance and hard choices, but my commitment to transforming this Service into one every citizen can trust will not waver.
•Tunji Disu during his decoration today as Inspector General of police, by President Bola Tinubu on February 25,2026, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Wednesday formally assumed office, pledging sweeping reforms anchored on professionalism, accountability, and community partnership to restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
He also acknowledged the contributions of past Inspectors-General, pledging to build on the foundations they laid while steering the force toward reform.
“The road ahead is not smooth,” he said, emphasising:” there will be resistance and hard choices, but my commitment to transforming this Service into one every citizen can trust will not waver.”
Disu took over from his predecessor, Olukayode Egbetokun, during a handover ceremony, declaring that his tenure would be guided by three core pillars: professionalism and modernisation, accountability and integrity, and community partnership and public trust.
He acknowledged that existing challenges within the force, including a trust deficit with communities, outdated systems, resource gaps, and misconduct in some quarters, describe them as “uncomfortable truths” that must be confronted.“These are truths we must face with resolve to reposition the Nigeria Police as a trusted, people-oriented institution,” he said.
Reform Pillars
Disu said the police would embrace intelligence-led policing, forensic investigations, and digital tools, stressing that modern methods—not intimidation or abuse of authority—would define operations.
On accountability, he warned that impunity would no longer be tolerated.
“The badge is a symbol of public trust. Anyone who treats it otherwise will face the full consequences of our disciplinary processes,” he stated, adding that oversight mechanisms would be strengthened and processes made more transparent.
He also emphasised community policing as a philosophy rather than a programme, pledging to deepen engagement with citizens through town halls, markets, schools, and neighbourhood interactions.
Addressing officers, Disu promised to prioritise their welfare and working conditions while demanding integrity, compassion, and courage in service.To citizens, he called for cooperation, urging Nigerians to report crime, engage local officers, and hold the police accountable.
To citizens, he called for cooperation, urging Nigerians to report crime, engage local officers, and hold the police accountable.
“We are not your adversaries. We are your neighbours in uniform, and your safety is the only measure of our success,” he said.
Disu thanked Bola Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him, describing his appointment as a heavy responsibility rather than a moment for celebration.
He also acknowledged the contributions of past Inspectors-General, pledging to build on the foundations they laid while steering the force toward reform.
“The road ahead is not smooth,” he noted. “There will be resistance and hard choices, but my commitment to transforming this Service into one every citizen can trust will not waver.
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[UPDATED): President Tinubu Decorates Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector General of Police
The ceremony, which took place at the President’s office moments ago, had in attendance National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, and the immediate past IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday decorated Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu with his new rank as the new acting Inspector – General of Police at the State House, Abuja.
The ceremony, which took place at the President’s office moments ago, had in attendance National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, and the immediate past IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment came just 48 days before his scheduled retirement on April 13, 2026, when he would have reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.
However, under the amended Police Act, which allows Inspectors-General of Police to serve a four year tenure regardless of age, Disu may remain for the next couple of years .
President Tinubu, who pinned the new insignia on Disu’s uniform commended the outgoing IGP Egbetokun for his service to the nation.
The ceremony comes barely 24 hours after Egbetokun submitted his resignation letter to the President on Tuesday, citing family issues that require his undivided attention.
Disu arrived alongside his family members for his decoration to the new rank of the Inspector-General
Disu, until his appointment on Tuesday, was an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG in-charge of Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Alagbon.
The former IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, reportedly tendered letter of his resignation the previous day citing pressing family considerations.
President Tinubu expressed his profound appreciation for his decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation.
News
Explosions rocks cement -ladened trailers on Zamfara highway
It was learned that the Improvised Explosive Device (IED), planted on the highway by suspected bandits exploded as the trailer stepped on it.
The Police in Zamfara State have confirmed that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along the Funtua-Gusau highway blew up a trailer carrying cement.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at Ungwar Mai Chida and caused a traffic gridlock on the highway.
It was learned that the Improvised Explosive Device (IED), planted on the highway by suspected bandits exploded as the trailer stepped on it.
The ill-fated truck was from Kaduna heading to Sokoto. Not a life was lost as the driver of the truck who sustained injuries, was reportedly rescued alive.
A resident said that the explosion occurred just hours after a combined team of police and military operatives had cleared and reopened the Kucheri–Danjibga–Keta road in the Tsafe local government area.
The road in question has been impassable for over a month due to an IED that was planted by criminal elements.
Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Ibrahim Maikaba, said that combined tactical teams of the Police and Military, particularly the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units, successfully detected and detonated multiple IEDs along the Kucheri–Danjibga–Keta axis.
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