No fewer than 974 drug offenders have been convicted nationwide within the first quarter of 2026, as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intensified its crackdown on traffickers and their networks.
Among those convicted were 11 high-profile drug kingpins handed a combined 254 years in prison, marking one of the most significant enforcement milestones in recent years.
According to the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a statement released Friday, a breakdown of the convictions showed that 899 were male and 75 female offenders, with 265 convictions recorded in January, 316 in February, and 393 in March.
The statement read in part, “Leading the list of convicted kingpins is Italy-based businessman Adegbite Solomon, alias “Obama,” who was sentenced to a cumulative 130 years in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos, after being found guilty on 15 counts of drug-related offences.
“Although the sentences run concurrently, the court also ordered the revocation of his pharmacy licence and forfeiture of assets, including pharmacy outlets and funds in multiple bank accounts.
“Similarly, Ridwan Animashaun was handed 25 years in prison by the Federal High Court in Ibadan. The conviction marks a repeat offence, following his earlier sentencing in 2022.”
It read further, “In Ogun state, Rauf Asogba and Seun Olaniyi received 17 years in prison each after being convicted for trafficking 1,779 kilogrammes of skunk. Other notable convictions include Jonathan Nuhu, also known as “Doctor,” who was sentenced to 15 years in Kano, and Idris Yusuf, who received 15 years in Yobe, alongside an additional eight-year sentence in a separate case.”
It added that, “Several other offenders, including Godday Obizuo, Asabe Abubakar, Godwin Peter, Asuquo Christian, and Olabode Sunday, were each sentenced to seven years in prison for drug trafficking offences across various states.”
Reacting to the development, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the outcome as a “watershed in Nigeria’s war against drug abuse and trafficking.”
“Securing 974 convictions in just three months underscores the relentless efforts of our officers and sends a clear message that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for drug traffickers,” he said.
Marwa commended the judiciary for expediting trials, stressing that swift justice “remains the most effective deterrent against criminal syndicates.”
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and to continue supporting law enforcement agencies with credible intelligence, noting that public cooperation “remains critical in sustaining the fight against illicit drugs.”