April 17, (THEWILL) — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified Nigeria’s crackdown on organised drug trafficking, securing 974 convictions within just three months, including 11 major drug kingpins sentenced to a combined 254 years in prison in what authorities describe as a decisive blow to entrenched narcotics networks.
The figures, covering January to March 2026, reflect not only a surge in arrests and prosecutions but a deliberate shift toward dismantling high-value drug syndicates, targeting repeat offenders, and stripping traffickers of their financial assets.
Data released by the agency shows a steady rise in convictions over the period including 265 in January, 316 in February, and 393 in March. Of the total convictions, 899 were male and 75 female.
The agency’s statement signed on Friday by its Spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, detailed the crackdown.
At the centre, is the conviction of Adegbite Solomon, alias “Obama,” an Italy-based businessman identified as a major transnational drug operator. Tried before the Federal High Court in Lagos, he was convicted on 15 counts and handed a cumulative 130-year sentence.
Although the terms will run concurrently, the judgment goes beyond imprisonment.
The court ordered the revocation of his pharmacy licence and the forfeiture of two pharmacy outlets and funds in three bank accounts—highlighting a growing focus on dismantling the economic backbone of drug enterprises.
In a separate case underscoring the persistence of drug networks, Ridwan Animashaun, 32, received a 25-year sentence in Ibadan.
His conviction marks a repeat offence, having previously served a one-year term in 2022—an indication of the revolving nature of drug crime the agency is now aggressively confronting.
Other major convictions include Rauf Asogba and Seun Olaniyi, who were each sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment after being caught trafficking 1,779 kilograms of skunk, one of the largest single seizures tied to convictions in recent months.
Jonathan Nuhu, also known as “Doctor,” and Idris Yusuf were each handed 15-year jail terms in Kano and Yobe respectively, with Yusuf receiving an additional eight-year sentence in a separate case—further reinforcing the agency’s pursuit of offenders across multiple jurisdictions.
Several other traffickers across the country received seven-year sentences, reflecting a broad-based enforcement sweep that cuts across regions and operational levels—from street-level distributors to major suppliers.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the development as a turning point in Nigeria’s anti-drug war, stressing that the convictions signal a tougher national stance against narcotics trafficking.
“Securing 974 convictions in just three months is a testament to the relentless spirit of our officers and the thinning patience of the Nigerian state toward drug merchants.
“To the 11 kingpins who thought they were untouchable, their 254-year collective residency in correctional centres is a firm reminder that the long arm of the law has finally caught up with their greed,” he said.
Marwa noted that beyond the prison terms, the increasing use of asset forfeiture is critical to weakening drug cartels, as it deprives them of the financial capacity to sustain operations.
He also credited the judiciary for accelerating the handling of drug-related cases, describing swift adjudication as a key deterrent in the fight against organised crime.
While commending NDLEA officers for their frontline role, he emphasised that public cooperation remains essential to sustaining the momentum.
“These victories belong to the citizens who provide the intelligence that fuels our operations,” he added.
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