Chief Executive Officer, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), says the agency has arrested over 8,634 suspected drug traffickers between January and August 2021.

Marwa, who disclosed this at the Human Rights, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Committee of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, also explained that the NDLEA made seizures of more than N100 billion in drugs and cash during the period.

“Our consistent targeting of drug trafficking organisations has resulted in the arrest of 8,634 suspected drug traffickers and the seizure of over N100 billion in cash and drugs. Perpetrators will go through the criminal justice system, with their fundamental human rights being strictly upheld,” the NDLEA boss stated.

He added that “against the backdrop of the strong linkage between illicit drug consumption and insecurity, it is worthy of note that Nigeria made its first seizure of 74.119 kg of Captagon brand of amphetamine, presumably destined for use, to fuel insurgency and other violent crimes and criminalities, which Nigeria is currently grappling with”.

Marwa assured the international community of Nigeria’s preparedness and determination to go after the assets of drug barons and traffickers in any part of the country.