330,000kg Of Illicit Drugs Destroyed In Lagos

Kehinde Adeleye

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has destroyed 329,865.585 kilogrammes of assorted illicit substances valued at an estimated N301.058 billion in Lagos, as the agency intensifies its crackdown on drug trafficking and abuse.

The court authorised the destruction exercise on Monday at Navy Town, Ojo, following orders issued by the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division.

The substances comprised narcotics recovered from concluded uncontested cases as well as abandoned seizures made by various NDLEA formations across Lagos.

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

Another 83,001.05kg were recovered by the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Tincan and Apapa Strategic Commands, Marine Command and a Special Operations Unit operating in the state.

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

Speaking during the exercise, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the destruction demonstrated Nigeria’s determination to keep illicit drugs out of circulation and prevent them from fuelling criminal activities.

Marwa said the seizure and destruction of narcotics went beyond addressing drug abuse, noting that trafficking also had wider economic and security consequences.

He said the illicit drug trade could weaken the workforce, increase pressure on healthcare facilities, discourage investment and divert public resources that could otherwise be channelled into education, healthcare and infrastructure.

The NDLEA chairman commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the agency’s mandate and acknowledged the roles played by the judiciary, Lagos State Government, military, other security agencies, international partners, civil society groups, traditional institutions, the media and members of the public.

He also praised NDLEA personnel for their efforts in disrupting drug trafficking networks across the country, particularly in Lagos.

Marwa warned drug barons, traffickers, financiers, distributors and dealers that the agency would intensify operations against them.

> “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 parents, schools, religious and traditional leaders and media organisations to support the fight against drug abuse and trafficking, stressing that the responsibility could not be left to the NDLEA alone.

Sanwo-Olu: Drug haul highlights scale of threat

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the volume of narcotics destroyed exposed the scale of the drug challenge confronting the country.

The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described the exercise as a warning about the danger posed by illicit drugs and an indication of what could be achieved through cooperation among law enforcement agencies, the judiciary and government.

Sanwo-Olu said Lagos remained committed to tackling drug abuse and trafficking across the state.

Customs: Seizures will hit criminal networks

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, commended the NDLEA for its sustained operations against drug trafficking.

Adeniyi said the seizures reflected enforcement operations at Nigeria’s seaports, airports and land borders, warning traffickers that the country was becoming increasingly hostile to their activities.

He further linked proceeds from illicit drug trafficking to the financing of violent criminal groups, including bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, insurgents and terrorists.

According to him, disrupting the drug trade would not only inflict financial losses on traffickers but also reduce the resources available to criminal networks.

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