NDLEA Chairman Justifies Asset Forfeiture of Drug Traffickers

The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd), has justified the agency’s decision to go after the assets of drug barons and traffickers as part of its ongoing offensive action against illicit drugs and cartels.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja to mark the 2024 International Day Against Drugs and Illicit Trafficking, Brig.Gen Marwa explained that the agency’s offensive action against drug cartels and traffickers, launched in January 2021, has yielded significant results, including the arrests and prosecutions of several barons.

The NDLEA boss represented by the Agency Secretary, Mr. Shadrach Haruna, noted that the agency’s forfeiture regime, which was strengthened by the passage of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2022, allows for the forfeiture of assets used as instruments of crime or the proceeds derived from crime. 

He emphasized that the agency’s diligent and painstaking preparation of investigations and prosecutions has led to a high conviction rate.

The NDLEA boss also highlighted the agency’s efforts to reduce drug demand through its flagship program, War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), which is built on the “whole of society approach” to preventive action against drug abuse.

He emphasized that prevention is an important aspect of the effort to curb the menace of abuse of illicit drugs in society.

Brig. Gen. Marwa, rtd, also announced a series of activities to commemorate the 2024 International Day Against Drugs and Illicit Trafficking, including a Juma’at Service at the National Mosque in Abuja, a Walk Against Drugs, a thanksgiving church service, and a grand finale of the secondary school essay competition.

In his remarks, the UNODC Country Deputy Representative, Danilo Campisi, called on the government and stakeholders in Nigeria to invest in drug use preventive measures to avoid a projected 40% rise in the population of drug users in the country, especially among the youth population. 

He emphasized the importance of adopting scientific evidence-based approaches that prioritize prevention and treatment.

The event was attended by various stakeholders, including the UNODC, the US-Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the British Border Force, and the Nigerian Armed Forces, among others.