A total of 589 suspects have been arrested by the Nasarawa State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for various drug-related offences between June 2025 and June 2026.
The State Commander, CN David Elisha Dechi, disclosed this during a press briefing in Lafia to commemorate the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
This year’s global event is centered on the theme: “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.”
The Commander revealed that the arrested suspects comprised 568 males and 21 females, marking a major milestone in the agency’s ongoing clampdown on narcotics within the state.
He also said that the Command intercepted a massive haul of 6,327.575 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and controlled substances over the past year.
According to him, the breakdown of the seized contraband include; Cannabis Sativa: 6,042.077 kg, Psychotropic Substances: 276.501 kg, Pentazocine Injection: 8.055 kg
Methamphetamine: 0.676 kg, Ketamine and Injection: 0.229 kg.
Others include; Crack Cocaine: 0.0237 kg,
Fentanyl Injection: 0.009 kg and
Pethidine Injection: 0.004 kg.
Speaking on the impact of the operations, Commander Dechi said “These seizures represent a significant disruption of drug trafficking networks and have prevented large quantities of dangerous substances from reaching our streets and communities.”
He noted that the agency’s legal offensive also yielded strict penalties for traffickers.
”In the area of prosecution and legal enforcement, the Command successfully secured the conviction of 103 offenders, who received various jail terms in accordance with the law. Additionally, 94 cases were filed in court, while 12 cases are currently pending before competent courts,” he said.
Dechi reiterated the agency’s resolve, noting that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency remains steadfast in its mandate of drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction.
He explained that the agency recognised that enforcement alone cannot solve the crisis, thus the Command heavily intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, an initiative championed by the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd).
Commander Dechi further stated that within the 12-month period, the Command conducted 429 sensitisation and advocacy programmes, educating 123,493 individuals (52,205 males and 71,288 females) across schools, markets, places of worship, and workplaces.
”Furthermore, the Command provided Brief Intervention Sessions to 1,154 drug users, consisting of 1,098 males and 56 females, offering counselling and support services aimed at encouraging behavioral change and recovery from June 2025 to June 2026,” he added.
Commander Dechi extended his gratitude to Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) for his visionary leadership, as well as the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, and the Emir of Lafia, Hon. Justice (Rtd.) Sidi Mohammad Dauda Bage I, for their unwavering support.
He , therefore urged parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and teachers to actively partner with the agency.
“The fight against drugs is a collective responsibility, and with sustained collaboration, innovation, and determination, victory is achievable,” he concluded.
