NDLEA destroys N329bn worth of illicit drugs in Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has destroyed 329,865.585 kilogrammes of assorted illicit substances with an estimated street value of N301.058 billion in Lagos.

The court-authorised destruction exercise, conducted on Monday at Navy Town, Ojo, followed orders issued by the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, and involved narcotics from concluded uncontested cases as well as abandoned seizures.

According to a statement by the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, 246,864.535kg of the drugs were seized by the agency’s Lagos Strategic Command between April 2025 and May 2026.

The remaining 83,001.05kg were recovered by the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Tincan and Apapa Strategic Commands, Marine Command and a Special Operations Unit operating within Lagos.

The substances destroyed included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, various strains of cannabis such as Canadian Loud and skunk, ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup, other opioids and khat leaves.

Speaking at the exercise, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the destruction as a demonstration of the country’s determination to prevent illicit drugs from fuelling criminal activities and undermining society.

Marwa noted that every quantity of narcotics removed from circulation represented a potential threat to individuals, families and communities.

He said the impact of drug trafficking extended beyond addiction, as illicit substances could weaken the workforce, increase pressure on healthcare services, discourage investment and divert public resources that could otherwise be used for education, healthcare and infrastructure.

The NDLEA chairman commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the agency’s mandate, while also acknowledging the contributions of the judiciary, Lagos State Government, military, other security agencies, international partners, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, the media and members of the public.

He also praised NDLEA officers across the country, particularly personnel operating in Lagos, for their sacrifices and commitment to combating drug trafficking.

Marwa warned drug barons, traffickers, financiers, distributors and dealers that the agency would intensify efforts to dismantle their networks.

“Wherever you hide, whoever sponsors you and however sophisticated your network may be, the long arm of the law will reach you,” he said.

He urged Nigerians, including parents, schools, religious and traditional leaders and media organisations, to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse and trafficking, stressing that the fight could not be won by the NDLEA alone.

Sanwo-Olu: Destruction exposes scale of drug threat

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the quantity of narcotics destroyed underscored the seriousness of the drug problem confronting the country.

The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described the exercise as both a warning about the scale of the threat and evidence of what could be achieved through cooperation among law enforcement agencies, the judiciary and government.

“The scale of what has been destroyed today, about 300 tons of narcotics and psychotropic substances, is a huge and sobering reminder of the enormity of the threat that illicit drugs pose to our communities, our young people, and our collective future,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He assured that Lagos would remain committed to tackling drug abuse and trafficking.

“Lagos State is unwavering in its resolve to confront drug abuse and trafficking, and we will not relent in our efforts to do this,” he said.

Customs: Drug seizures will hurt criminal networks

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, commended the NDLEA for what he described as its sustained efforts against drug trafficking.

Adeniyi said the seizures reflected the agency’s operations across the country’s seaports, airports and land borders, sending a strong message to traffickers operating within Nigeria.

“It is not just about the size of what we are seeing but about the scope of what has been taken from operations conducted in our seaports, at our airports, at our land borders. This therefore represents a very strong message to drug dealers that they are no longer welcome in Nigeria,” he said.

He also linked proceeds from illicit drug trafficking to the activities of violent non-state actors, including bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, insurgents and terrorists.

According to him, disrupting the drug trade would deny such criminal groups an important source of funding.

“Bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, insurgents, terrorists, this is their oxygen,” Adeniyi said, adding that the destruction of the seized substances would translate into significant financial losses for drug traffickers while limiting resources available to violent criminal groups.

He commended Marwa and NDLEA personnel involved in the operations leading to the seizures.

Also speaking, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s continued support for the country’s drug-control efforts coordinated by the NDLEA.