Navy seizes 1.9 tonnes of cannabis, arrests 25 stowaways in Lagos

The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Beecroft has seized approximately 1.9 tonnes of cannabis in separate operations and arrested 25 stowaways found aboard commercial vessels within its area of responsibility in Lagos and surrounding waters.

The commander of NNS Beecroft, Commodore Adams Aliu disclosed this on Wednesday during a maritime stakeholders’ meeting at the officers’ mess of the Western Naval Command in Apapa, Lagos. Participants at the meeting called for greater cooperation to tackle security threats affecting maritime operations and surrounding communities.

Aliu said the seizures and arrests formed part of the navy’s efforts to curb drug trafficking, smuggling, illegal bunkering and other criminal activities in the maritime environment.

He described the security situation in the area as generally calm but stressed the need for continuous surveillance and stronger collaboration among security agencies, maritime operators, government authorities and host communities.

Providing details of the operations, Aliu said naval personnel recovered five bags of cannabis weighing 480 kilogrammes around Abule Odo, Lagos, on February 18, 2026. Other illicit substances, including cannabis, tramadol and codeine, were also seized at Idi Araba, Apapa.

He added that two bags of cannabis weighing 192 kilogrammes were intercepted at Ikare Island on April 28, while 11 bags weighing 756 kilogrammes were recovered at Wiliki Post, off Alpha Beach, on July 22.

The seized substances were subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for further investigation.

The naval commander also revealed that 25 stowaways were arrested aboard commercial vessels at various locations, including Lagos Anchorage, Lekki Dangote Terminal and Takwa Bay. They were later transferred to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further action.

Aliu said other suspects apprehended during the operations had been handed over to relevant security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

He noted that maritime offences frequently have links to activities on land, making the involvement of host communities essential to preventing and addressing security threats.

The commander urged stakeholders to develop dependable channels for reporting suspicious movements and emerging threats. He also called for the appointment of designated security officers, better communication and a coordinated system for reporting incidents.

The chairman of Apapa Local Government Area, Senbajo Idowu Abike, raised concerns about drug trafficking, child abuse, human trafficking and the increasing involvement of young people in street gangs.

While acknowledging that security had improved compared with previous years, Abike warned that criminal activities remained a threat to residents, particularly schoolchildren.