The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough in the war against illicit drugs, securing 974 convictions nationwide in the first quarter of 2026.
Among those jailed are 11 high-profile drug kingpins who collectively bagged a staggering 254 years behind bars, in what authorities describe as a crushing blow to trafficking networks.
NDLEA said the convictions—265 in January, 316 in February, and 393 in March—underscore intensified operations targeting drug cartels, asset forfeiture, and aggressive prosecution.
One of the biggest cases saw Italy-based businessman Adegbite Solomon, alias “Obama,” slammed with a cumulative 130-year sentence by a Federal High Court in Lagos, alongside forfeiture of his assets.
Another convict, Ridwan Animashaun, was handed 25 years in Ibadan, while traffickers Rauf Asogba and Seun Olaniyi each received 17 years for moving large quantities of cannabis.
Reacting, NDLEA boss Mohamed Buba Marwa hailed the convictions as a landmark achievement, warning that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for drug traffickers.
He praised the judiciary and operatives for their efforts, vowing to sustain the crackdown as the agency intensifies its nationwide offensive against drug crimes.
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