PHOTO: NDLEA Destroys N301bn Worth of Cocaine, Heroin, Opioids, Other Illicit Drugs in Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has publicly destroyed 329,865.585 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs with an estimated street value of N301.058 billion in Lagos.
The court-ordered destruction exercise, conducted on Monday at Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos, followed orders issued by the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, covering uncontested concluded cases and abandoned seizures.
Of the total quantity destroyed, 246,864.535 kilogrammes were seized by the NDLEA Lagos Strategic Command between April 2025 and May 2026, while the remaining 83,001.05 kilogrammes were recovered by the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Tin Can and Apapa Strategic Commands, Marine Command and a Special Operations Unit operating in Lagos.
The illicit substances destroyed comprised cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis varieties, including Canadian Loud and skunk, ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup and other opioids, as well as khat leaves.
Speaking at the exercise, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the destruction as a demonstration of Nigeria’s determination to protect its citizens and deprive criminal enterprises of the resources required to operate.
Marwa said the seizure and destruction of the drugs represented more than the removal of contraband from circulation, noting that illicit drug trafficking has far-reaching consequences for public health, the economy and national security.
According to him, every kilogramme of narcotics destroyed represents a potential life saved from addiction and communities protected from drug-related crimes, impaired driving and other social consequences.
He said illicit drugs weaken the workforce, increase healthcare costs, discourage investment and divert public resources that could otherwise be invested in education, healthcare and infrastructure.
The NDLEA chairman also highlighted the connection between illicit drug trafficking and broader security threats, noting that proceeds from the trade can finance organised crime, terrorism and violent extremism.
Marwa commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s support for the NDLEA, as well as the Judiciary, Lagos State Government, military, sister security agencies, international partners, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, the media and members of the public for their cooperation.
He also praised NDLEA personnel across the country, particularly officers and operatives serving in Lagos, for their commitment and sacrifices in the fight against illicit drugs.
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Issuing a warning to drug barons, traffickers, financiers, distributors and dealers, Marwa said the Agency would intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks and their financial structures.
“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, particularly parents, schools, religious and traditional leaders and the media, to play active roles in combating drug abuse and trafficking, stressing that the fight could not be won by the NDLEA alone.
Also speaking, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the destruction of nearly 330 tonnes of narcotics and psychotropic substances as a sobering indication of the scale of the illicit drug threat confronting Nigerian communities, particularly young people.
The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said the exercise also demonstrated the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies, the Judiciary and government institutions.
He assured that Lagos State remained committed to confronting drug abuse and trafficking and would sustain efforts to protect its residents from the consequences of illicit drugs.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, commended the NDLEA for its efforts, describing the seizures as a strong message to drug traffickers operating through Nigeria’s seaports, airports and land borders.
Adeniyi noted that the fight against illicit drugs was also critical to national security because of the link between drug trafficking and violent non-state actors.
He said proceeds from drug trafficking could provide financial resources for bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, insurgents and terrorists.
“The destruction that we are going to witness today is symbolic of two things: drug dealers are going to be losing investments worth billions of naira and we are going to be denying non-state violent actors the necessary oxygen that they need for their heinous crime,” he said.
Adeniyi commended Marwa and NDLEA personnel across the country for their operational efforts in intercepting and destroying illicit drugs.
Similarly, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, pledged the continued support of the Nigerian Navy for the country’s drug-control efforts coordinated by the NDLEA.
The stakeholders said sustained inter-agency collaboration remained critical to disrupting drug trafficking networks, cutting off illicit financial flows and strengthening Nigeria’s broader security architecture.
By PRNigeria
