“Imagine 200 trailers of illegal substances on our streets”
NDLEA Seizes 1.3 Billion Tramadol Pills, 4.4 Million Bottles of Codeine in 18 Months – Marwa
Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), has revealed that the agency seized 1.3 billion pills of Tramadol and 4.4 million bottles of Codeine between January 2024 and June 2025 as part of intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking in Nigeria.
Marwa made the disclosure on Tuesday during a plenary session at the two-day Interactive Session on Government-Citizens’ Engagement held in Kaduna, praising President Bola Tinubu for the strong political support that enabled the landmark achievements.
“Between January 2024 and June 2025, we have seized over 4.4 million bottles of codeine. We also seized 1.3 billion tablets of opium, also known as tramadol,” Marwa said.
He warned of the potential national security implications if such volumes of drugs had flooded Nigerian streets.
“A pill of Tramadol is now N1,000. The street value of one billion pills can be close to one trillion naira. Imagine the kind of weapons terrorists or bandits can buy with that amount of money—or imagine one billion pills of tramadol in circulation,” he cautioned.
According to the NDLEA chief, the agency also intercepted 5,555 tonnes of illicit drugs—the equivalent of 200 trailers—since Tinubu assumed office in 2023.
“Imagine 200 trailers of illegal substances on our streets,” he said.
Other achievements within the same period include the arrest of 2,000 drug traffickers, 8,682 convictions, and rehabilitation of over 24,000 individuals.
Marwa highlighted the agency’s expansive advocacy efforts which cover motor parks, schools, churches, mosques, and markets to raise awareness on the dangers of drug and substance abuse.
He further revealed that President Tinubu has approved the construction of seven new drug rehabilitation centres, adding to the agency’s existing 30 centres, bringing the total to 37 nationwide.
“This means every state in the country will have one. Also, the President has approved one modern rehabilitation centre for each geopolitical zone of the country. And we hope to start this year,” Marwa said.
Speaking on the broader national strategy, Marwa expressed confidence in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, noting that it addresses core drivers of drug abuse such as idleness, poverty, and unemployment.
He also lauded the governments of Kwara and Kaduna states for taking proactive steps in addressing substance abuse and urged other state governments to emulate their efforts.
Marwa concluded by calling for a whole-of-society approach, urging families, communities, religious leaders, and educators to take active roles in tackling drug abuse.
“Families should not wait for Tinubu to solve all the problems of drug abuse and NDLEA. It starts with parenting. We want drug and substance abuse to be included in the curriculum of primary schools. Communities, traditional rulers, churches, and mosques must get involved,” he urged. Read More
(NAN)
