No fewer than 974 drug offenders were convicted and sentenced to various prison terms across Nigeria in the first quarter of 2026, as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intensified its crackdown on traffickers and their networks nationwide.
The convictions, recorded between January and March, included 11 major drug kingpins who collectively bagged 254 years’ imprisonment, underscoring a significant escalation in prosecution efforts by the anti-narcotics agency.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the figures in a statement on Friday, noting that 899 of those convicted were men, while 75 were women.
A breakdown of the figures shows that 265 convictions were secured in January, 316 in February and 393 in March.
Among the high-profile convictions is that of Italy-based businessman, Adegbite Solomon, also known as “Obama”, who was sentenced to a cumulative 130 years’ imprisonment by Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on 18 March 2026.
The court found him guilty on 15 counts bordering on drug trafficking. Although the sentences are to run concurrently, the court also ordered the revocation of his pharmacy licence and the forfeiture of his assets, including two pharmacy outlets and funds in three bank accounts, to the Federal Government.
Similarly, Ridwan Animashaun, 32, was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment by Justice Nkenoye Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, on 26 February 2026. He had previously been convicted in 2022 for a similar offence.
In Ogun State, Justice Abiodun Jordan Adeyemi of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, sentenced two traffickers, Rauf Asogba, 28, and Seun Olaniyi, 24, to 17 years’ imprisonment each after they were found guilty of trafficking 1,779 kilogrammes of skunk.
Other convictions include Jonathan Nuhu, 54, and Idris Yusuf, 40, who were handed 15-year jail terms by Federal High Courts in Kano and Yobe States respectively, with Yusuf receiving an additional eight-year sentence in a separate case.
Several other offenders across the country were also sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment each for related offences.
“Securing 974 convictions in just three months is a testament to the relentless spirit of our officers and the thinning patience of the Nigerian state toward drug merchants.
“To the 11 kingpins who thought they were untouchable, their 254-year collective residency in correctional centres is a firm reminder that the long arm of the law has finally caught up with their greed,” the NDLEA chairman said.
He further commended the judiciary for the accelerated hearing of drug-related cases and described swift justice as a potent deterrent to criminal networks, while also urging Nigerians to continue supporting the agency with credible intelligence.
“These victories belong to the citizens who provide the intelligence that fuels our operations. We will continue to prioritise the welfare of our personnel and equip them with the necessary tools to stay ahead of criminal syndicates,” he added.
