The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured 974 convictions of drug offenders nationwide in the first quarter of 2026, including 11 drug kingpins who were sentenced to a combined 254 years in prison.
The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, April 17, noting that the convictions were recorded between January and March as part of intensified enforcement operations.
According to the breakdown, 265 convictions were secured in January, 316 in February, and 393 in March. Of the total number, 899 were male while 75 were female offenders.
Among the high-profile convictions is that of Adegbite Solomon, also known as “Obama,” an Italy-based businessman who was sentenced to 130 years imprisonment by Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court in Lagos after being found guilty on multiple drug-related charges.
The court also ordered the revocation of his pharmacy licence and the forfeiture of his assets, including two pharmacy outlets and funds in three bank accounts.
Another major conviction involved Ridwan Animashaun, who was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by Justice Nkenoye Maha of the Federal High Court in Ibadan for drug trafficking offences.
Similarly, Rauf Asogba and Seun Olaniyi were each sentenced to 17 years imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Abeokuta after being convicted for trafficking large quantities of illicit substances.
Other convicted offenders include Jonathan Nuhu and Idris Yusuf, who received 15-year jail terms in separate cases, alongside several others who were sentenced to seven years imprisonment across different jurisdictions.
Reacting to the development, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the convictions as a major milestone in Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.
“Securing 974 convictions in just three months is a testament to the relentless efforts of our officers and a clear signal that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for drug traffickers,” he said.
Marwa added that the sentencing of the 11 kingpins to a combined 254 years imprisonment underscores the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug networks and holding offenders accountable.
He also commended the judiciary for expediting the trials and urged Nigerians to continue supporting the agency with credible intelligence to sustain the momentum.