News Investigators/ The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured 974 conviction of 974 drug offenders across the country between January and March 2026.
The agency said 11 of the convicts, identified as major drug kingpins, were sentenced to a combined 254 years’ imprisonment.
The NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
Of those convicted, he said, 899 were male while 75 were female, reflecting the continued dominance of male offenders in the illicit drug trade network being dismantled by the agency.
He said that the monthly figures indicated that 265 convictions were recorded in January, 316 in February, and 393 in March.
Mr Babafemi said one of the high-profile convictions was that of an Italy-based businessman, Adegbite Solomon, alias “Obama”, who was sentenced to a cumulative 130 years imprisonment.
He said Solomon was arraigned on a 15-count charge before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in suit number FHC/L/851C/2025.
“Delivering judgment on March 18, Justice Kakaki convicted the defendant on all 15 counts and sentenced him accordingly.
“The sentences are to run concurrently, while the court also ordered the revocation of his pharmacy licence and the forfeiture of two branches of his pharmacy business, as well as funds in three bank accounts to the Federal Government,” he said.
Mr Babafemi also said that Ridwan Animashaun, 32, was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by Justice Nkenoye Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, on Feb. 26.
He said Animashaun, a repeat offender, was previously convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment in July 2022 for a similar offence.
In another case, Rauf Asogba, 28, and Seun Olaniyi, 24, were each sentenced to 17 years imprisonment by Justice Abiodun Jordan Adeyemi of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Jan. 28, 2026.
“They were convicted for trafficking 1,779 kilogrammes of skunk,” he said.
Mr Babafemi further said that Jonathan Nuhu, 54, and Idris Yusuf, 40, were each sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in separate cases in Kano and Yobe States.
He added that Yusuf was also handed an additional eight-year jail term in another drug-related case.
“Other convicts include Godday Obizuo, Asabe Abubakar, Godwin Peter, Asuquo Christian and Olabode Sunday, who were each sentenced to seven years imprisonment for drug trafficking offences,”he added.
Reacting to the convictions, the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa described the sentencing of the 11 kingpins as a watershed moment in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
Marwa said the conviction of 974 offenders within three months sends a clear message that Nigeria was no longer a safe haven for drug traffickers.
“Securing 974 convictions in just three months is a testament to the relentless spirit of our officers and the resolve of the Nigerian state.
“To the 11 kingpins who thought they were untouchable, their 254-year collective jail term is a firm reminder that the long arm of the law has caught up with them,” he said.
The NDLEA boss commended the judiciary for the accelerated hearing of cases and described swift justice as a potent deterrent.
Marwa also lauded officers and men of the agency for their efforts and urged Nigerians to continue to support the fight against drug trafficking by providing credible intelligence.
“These victories belong to the citizens who provide the intelligence that fuels our operations,” he said.
NAN
