NDLEA secures 974 drug convictions, 11 kingpins bag 254 years in jail
By: Zagazola Makama
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has secured 974 convictions of drug offenders across the country in the first quarter of 2026, including 11 drug kingpins who collectively bagged 254 years in prison.
The agency said the convictions were recorded between January and March 2026 as part of intensified nationwide operations targeting drug trafficking networks, asset forfeiture and prosecution of offenders.
According to the breakdown, 265 convictions were recorded in January, 316 in February and 393 in March, bringing the total to 974 convicted offenders. Of those convicted, 899 were males while 75 were females.
Among those convicted were 11 identified drug kingpins, whose sentences ranged from seven years to 130 years imprisonment depending on the offences and charges filed against them.
One of the most notable cases involved an Italy-based businessman, Adegbite Solomon, also known as “Obama,” who was convicted on a 15-count charge before the Federal High Court in Lagos. The court sentenced him to a cumulative 130 years in prison, alongside orders for forfeiture of his assets, including pharmacy outlets and bank accounts.
Another high-profile convict, Ridwan Animashaun, was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Ibadan after a prior conviction in 2022 for a similar offence.
Similarly, two convicts, Rauf Asogba and Seun Olaniyi, were each sentenced to 17 years imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Abeokuta for trafficking 1,779 kilograms of skunk.
Other convictions included 15-year sentences handed to Jonathan Nuhu and Idris Yusuf in separate Federal High Court rulings in Kano and Damaturu respectively. Several others received seven-year jail terms for drug trafficking offences across different jurisdictions.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), described the convictions as a major milestone in Nigeria’s fight against illicit drugs.
He said the sentencing of the 11 kingpins to a combined 254 years in prison sends a strong message that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for drug traffickers.
Marwa commended the judiciary for the swift handling of cases and praised NDLEA operatives for their commitment and resilience in combating drug cartels.
He reiterated the agency’s resolve to sustain the crackdown on drug trafficking networks while urging Nigerians to continue supporting ongoing operations with credible intelligence.
