Properties, N500b drugs seized from barons in two years, says Marwa

• Published date: 19 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), has said the agency seized assets and drugs valued at N500 billion from barons since he took over in January 2021.

Addressing reporters at the agency's headquarters yesterday in Abuja, the NDLEA boss said an officer of the agency was killed last week in Sokoto State in the line of duty.

He warned that unrepentant drug barons and cartels would face tougher times in 2023, if they fail to back out of the illicit drug business.

Marwa said: 'The seizure of assets combined with drugs is a rough figure of N500 billion. Of course, the value of the drugs is up in smoke because we burn it all.'

On the NDLEA personnel that was killed in Sokoto State, he said: 'One of our officers was killed in action last week. What happens in the various communities is that some of the barons build schools, clinics, and they give scholarships. They try to demonstrate to the communities that they are indispensable partners and helpers.

'So, when we go into such communities, they also arm some of their militants. So...