The Niger State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported an extensive outreach effort in 2025, delivering 219 drug abuse sensitization programmes across schools, communities and organisations.
Commander Shehu Nomau Gwadabawa disclosed the figures at a news briefing in Minna, where he outlined the command’s combined focus on enforcement, public education and rehabilitation. “We conducted 219 public sensitisation programmes between January and December 2025,” he said, adding that the activities targeted schoolchildren, community groups and workplace organisations.
NDLEA drug sensitization drives school and community outreach
The programmes ranged from classroom talks to community meetings and employer briefings, designed to increase awareness of the dangers of illicit substances and to signpost treatment options. The command said the educational element complements its enforcement work by encouraging early intervention and reducing demand.
Gwadabawa said the command counselled 299 drug users during the year. “Of those, 16 clients were admitted into rehabilitation and have been reintegrated into their families and communities after completing treatment,” he added. The NDLEA emphasised that rehabilitation and counselling form a central part of its strategy to break cycles of substance misuse.
On the enforcement side, the commander reported the arrest of about 125 suspected drug dealers. The figure comprised 124 males and one female; some suspects have been convicted while others remain before the courts. Gwadabawa welcomed the convictions as evidence of the command’s prosecutorial work but noted that successful enforcement must be paired with prevention and recovery services.
Commending his officers, Gwadabawa described them as dedicated and God-fearing for their commitment to the multi-pronged approach. He also thanked the Niger State government for its support and urged further assistance, particularly in the provision of logistics. “We need more patrol vehicles to increase our reach and sustain operations,” he said.
Public officials and local leaders who attended the briefing reiterated support for the NDLEA’s combined approach. Community representatives said the sensitisation sessions had improved parents’ ability to spot warning signs and encouraged young people to seek help rather than turn to dealers.
Experts note that Nigeria faces a complex drug challenge driven by socioeconomic pressures, transnational trafficking routes and rising local consumption. Initiatives that integrate enforcement, public education and rehabilitation — such as those reported in Niger State — are widely regarded as best practice because they address supply and demand simultaneously.
Looking ahead, the NDLEA command in Niger State said it will continue to expand its outreach to more schools and workplaces, and to strengthen partnerships with community organisations and healthcare providers. Improved logistics, especially additional patrol vehicles, remain a priority to ensure that both preventive and enforcement activities can be scaled up across the state.
By combining on-the-ground sensitisation with counselling and targeted enforcement, the command aims to reduce drug-related harm and support those affected to return to productive lives. The 2025 figures were presented as a measure of progress and as a basis for seeking further resources to sustain and broaden the work in the months ahead.
Key Takeaways:
- NDLEA carried out 219 drug awareness programmes across schools, communities and organisations in Niger State during 2025, highlighting NDLEA drug sensitization efforts.
- The command counselled 299 drug users, rehabilitated 16 clients and reintegrated them into society.
- About 125 suspects were arrested (124 male, one female) with prosecutions ongoing; the command seeks more patrol vehicles to expand operations.
