Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
Nigeria’s war against drug trafficking is gaining momentum, with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) securing 974 convictions between January and March 2026, including 11 major drug kingpins sentenced to a combined 254 years in prison.
The agency in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters Femi Babafemi , says the convictions reflect an intensified nationwide crackdown targeting traffickers, their networks, and illicit assets.
Of the total convictions, 899 were men and 75 women, with monthly figures rising steadily 265 in January, 316 in February, and 393 in March signaling increased enforcement and prosecution efforts.
Among the high-profile convictions is Lagos-based businessman Adegbite Solomon, also known as “Obama,” who was sentenced to 130 years in prison by a Federal High Court in Lagos after being found guilty on multiple drug-related charges. The court also ordered the forfeiture of his assets, including pharmacy outlets and funds in bank accounts.
Similarly, Ridwan Animashaun was handed a 25-year jail term in Ibadan for drug trafficking offences, marking a repeat conviction after a previous sentence in 2022.
Other notable convictions include Rauf Asogba and Seun Olaniyi, who were each sentenced to 17 years in prison for trafficking large quantities of cannabis, as well as Jonathan Nuhu and Idris Yusuf, who received lengthy jail terms in separate cases across the country.
Reacting to the development, NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brigadier- General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) described the outcome as a major milestone in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
He said the convictions send a clear message that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for drug syndicates, stressing that swift prosecution remains a powerful deterrent.
Marwa also commended the judiciary for expediting the cases and praised NDLEA officers for their resilience, noting that public support and intelligence-sharing remain critical to sustaining the agency’s success.
The latest figures underscore growing efforts by authorities to dismantle drug networks and curb substance abuse, particularly among Nigeria’s youth.