The Federal Government is taking decisive steps to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking by removing the option of fines for convicted offenders. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has described the current provision as a loophole that undermines deterrence and allows traffickers to return to the illicit trade after paying monetary penalties.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi emphasized that while the judiciary has been a strong ally in prosecuting drug-related cases, the option of fines remains a major obstacle. He noted that the agency currently records a conviction rate of nearly 90 percent, but the effectiveness of these convictions is diluted when offenders can simply pay their way out of prison sentences.
“There is a small nag there and that is the issue of the option of fine, and we are very grateful that the Federal Government through the office of Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is addressing that,” Babafemi explained.
He revealed that an executive bill is being prepared for submission to the National Assembly to amend existing laws. The proposed legislation would abolish the fine option and impose mandatory custodial sentences ranging from 15 to 25 years for convicted traffickers.
According to Babafemi, this reform will ensure that offenders face real consequences, thereby deterring others from engaging in drug trafficking. He stressed that imprisonment, rather than financial penalties, is the only effective way to dismantle the networks that sustain the drug trade.
The NDLEA spokesperson also highlighted the agency’s broader successes in combating drug trafficking. He noted that sustained crackdowns have reduced the availability of illicit substances, driving up street prices and making access more difficult. “Young people themselves are complaining online that because of our operations, the price of a gram of cannabis has risen from ₦5,000 to ₦35,000,” he said, underscoring the tangible impact of enforcement.
Babafemi further disclosed that recent investigations have uncovered billions of naira in the bank accounts of suspected traffickers. These funds have been frozen, with ongoing efforts to secure their forfeiture to the Federal Government.
He added that Nigeria has become increasingly hostile terrain for drug traffickers, forcing many to relocate abroad. However, the NDLEA continues to collaborate with international counterparts to track fugitives and bring them to justice.
By closing legal loopholes and intensifying enforcement, the Federal Government and NDLEA aim to send a clear message: drug trafficking will no longer be treated as a business risk but as a crime with severe and unavoidable consequences.
