The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), has called for stricter punishment for drug traffickers, urging courts to prioritise custodial sentences over fines.
Marwa made the appeal in Abuja during the launch of the National Minimum Standards for the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and related laws.
He argued that allowing offenders to pay fines instead of serving jail terms has failed to deter drug-related crimes in Nigeria.
According to him, the persistence of illicit drug trafficking shows that existing penalties are not strong enough to discourage offenders.
Marwa urged judges of the Federal High Court to impose stricter sentences, especially in cases where offenders do not merit leniency.
He described the growing rate of drug abuse as a serious concern, noting that Nigeria has more than 10 million cannabis users.
The NDLEA chairman revealed that the agency has seized approximately 15 million kilograms of illegal substances over the past five years.
He added that cannabis accounts for about 70 to 75 percent of the total seizures, highlighting its widespread use and distribution.
Marwa also spoke about efforts by the NDLEA to curb cannabis cultivation, particularly in Ondo State, where farmers are being encouraged to switch to legal agricultural activities.
He noted that the initiative has begun yielding positive results, with many farmers abandoning illegal cultivation for legitimate crops.
According to him, the transition not only provides sustainable livelihoods but also protects farmers from arrest and prosecution.
Marwa further commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for their continued support in strengthening the agency’s operations.
He stressed that stronger enforcement and stricter sentencing remain critical to tackling drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria.
