The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Buba Marwa, has advocated tougher penalties for drug-related offences, insisting that convicted traffickers should face mandatory prison sentences without the option of paying fines.
He made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja during the launch of the National Minimum Standards for implementing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and related state laws.
According to Marwa, allowing offenders to pay fines instead of serving jail terms has proven ineffective in discouraging drug trafficking, contributing to the continued rise in illicit drug use across the country. He urged judges of the Federal High Court to adopt stricter sentencing, particularly in cases where offenders do not merit leniency.
He expressed concern over the scale of drug use in Nigeria, noting that the country has more than 10 million cannabis users, a figure he described as alarming.
Providing insight into the agency’s operations, Marwa said that approximately 15 million kilograms of illegal drugs had been seized over the past five years, with cannabis accounting for roughly 70 to 75 per cent of the total.
He added that the agency has intensified engagement with cannabis cultivators, especially in Ondo State, encouraging them to abandon illegal cultivation in favour of legitimate agricultural activities such as food and cash crop production.
The NDLEA boss said the initiative is beginning to show positive results, with many farmers switching to lawful means of livelihood, reducing their risk of arrest and prosecution while contributing more productively to society.
He also commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and the leadership of the Federal High Court for their cooperation and prompt attention to issues affecting the agency.
Marwa concluded by stressing that stronger enforcement measures and consistent application of the law are essential to curbing drug trafficking and safeguarding communities across the country.