The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has destroyed 329,865.585 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs valued at an estimated N301.06 billion in Lagos.
The court-ordered destruction exercise, conducted on Monday at Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos, followed orders of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, and involved illicit drugs recovered from concluded cases and abandoned seizures.
According to the NDLEA, 246,864.535kg of the drugs were seized by its Lagos Strategic Command between April 2025 and May 2026, while 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.
The destroyed substances included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis varieties such as Canadian Loud and skunk, ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup, other opioids and khat leaves.
Marwa: Drug Traffickers’ Days of Impunity Over
Speaking at the exercise, the 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 deny criminal enterprises resources to operate.
Marwa said the seizure represented more than the removal of illicit substances from circulation, noting that drug abuse poses serious risks to individuals, families and communities.
He said illicit drugs also weaken the labour force, increase healthcare costs, discourage investment and divert public resources that could otherwise be channelled into education, healthcare and infrastructure.
According to him, every major drug seizure helps save the country from potential losses associated with addiction, crime and social dislocation.
The NDLEA chairman further linked illicit drug trafficking to broader security challenges, noting that proceeds from the trade could finance organised crime, terrorism and violent extremism.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the agency’s mandate and also acknowledged 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.
Marwa also praised NDLEA officers across the country, particularly those serving in Lagos, for their sacrifices and commitment to the fight against drug trafficking.
Issuing a warning to drug barons, traffickers, financiers, distributors and dealers, he declared that the era of operating with impunity was over.
“Wherever you hide, whoever sponsors you and however sophisticated your network may be, the long arm of the law will reach you,” Marwa said.
He vowed that the agency would remain relentless in dismantling criminal networks involved in the illicit drug trade and targeting their financial resources.
The NDLEA boss called on parents, schools, religious and traditional leaders, the media and other Nigerians to become active participants in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
Sanwo-Olu: Destruction Highlights Scale of Drug Threat
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the scale of the drugs destroyed as a sobering reminder of the threat posed by illicit substances to communities and young Nigerians.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said the exercise also demonstrated the impact of collaboration 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 added that the exercise was a testament to what could be achieved when institutions work together to enforce the law, uphold justice and protect society.
The governor assured that Lagos State would continue to support efforts to combat 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 CG: Drug Dealers No Longer Welcome
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, commended the NDLEA for what he described as its achievements in the fight against illicit drugs.
Adeniyi noted that the seizures were made through operations at seaports, airports and land borders, describing the destruction as a strong warning to drug traffickers.
“NDLEA deserves all the accolades they have received from local and international partners,” he said.
He added: “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.”
Adeniyi also highlighted the connection between illicit drug trafficking and violent non-state actors, including bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, insurgents and terrorists.
“Bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, insurgents, terrorists, this is their oxygen,” he said, stressing that disrupting the drug trade would deny criminal groups an important source of funding.
He commended Marwa and NDLEA personnel for their role in intercepting and destroying illicit drugs across the country.
Navy Reaffirms Support
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, assured the NDLEA of the Nigerian Navy’s continued support for the country’s drug-control efforts.
He said the Navy would continue to collaborate with the NDLEA and other relevant agencies in combating drug trafficking and other criminal activities threatening national security.
