Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 65 Battalion have intercepted a truck conveying a large consignment of illicit drugs along the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road, leading to the arrest of the vehicle’s driver.
The operation, which was carried out on July 9, 2026, followed credible intelligence received by the troops, according to a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya.
The Army said the intelligence-led operation resulted in the successful interception of the truck and the recovery of a substantial quantity of suspected illicit drugs concealed within the vehicle.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the consignment was being transported to the Berger area of Lagos State. However, the suspect reportedly failed to provide satisfactory information regarding the ownership of the drugs or the identity of the intended recipient.
Military authorities subsequently handed over the suspect and the recovered substances to the Lagos State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The handover was conducted by the Commanding Officer of 65 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel S. Adeojo, in line with established procedures governing inter-agency collaboration in the fight against drug trafficking and related crimes.
Reacting to the development, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, commended the troops for their vigilance, professionalism and operational effectiveness.
Babalola said the successful operation demonstrated the military’s commitment to supporting national efforts aimed at combating drug trafficking and other criminal activities that threaten public safety and national security.
He urged personnel of the division to sustain the momentum of ongoing operations and intensify efforts to deny criminal elements freedom of movement within the division’s area of responsibility.
“The troops have once again demonstrated commendable vigilance and professionalism. They must continue to maintain the operational tempo and ensure that drug traffickers and other criminal elements find no safe haven within our area of responsibility,” the GOC said.
The interception underscores growing collaboration among security agencies in tackling illicit drug trafficking, which authorities say fuels criminality, insecurity and other social vices across the country.
The Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to working closely with the NDLEA and other security agencies to disrupt criminal networks and enhance the safety and security of citizens.
