The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed 329,865.585 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs valued at N301.058 billion in Lagos State.
The drugs, which included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis strains such as Canadian Loud and skunk, ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup, other opioids and khat leaves, were destroyed on Monday in a court-ordered exercise.
According to the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the exercise followed orders of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, after the conclusion of uncontested cases and the seizure of abandoned items.
Babafemi said 246,864.535kg of the illicit drugs were seized by the Lagos Strategic Command between April 2025 and May 2026, while the remaining 83,001.05kg came from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Tin Can and Apapa Strategic Commands, Marine Command and a Special Operations Unit.
Speaking during the exercise, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), described the destruction as a demonstration of Nigeria’s determination to protect its citizens and deprive criminal networks of resources.
Marwa said illicit drugs posed serious threats to young people, families and communities, adding that drug trafficking also contributed to crime, increased healthcare costs and weakened the country’s workforce.
He further linked the illicit drug trade to organised crime, terrorism and violent extremism, stressing that proceeds from drug trafficking could be used to finance criminal activities.
The NDLEA chairman commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the agency and praised the judiciary, the Lagos State Government, the military, security agencies, international partners, and other stakeholders for their cooperation.
He warned drug barons, traffickers, financiers and dealers that the agency would continue to pursue them and dismantle their networks.
“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 also called on parents, schools, religious and traditional leaders, and the media to support the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described the destruction of about 300 tonnes of narcotics and psychotropic substances as a “huge and sobering reminder” of the scale of the drug threat.
READ ALSO: Fresh Relief for Nigerians as Inflation Drops to 15.43% in July
The governor reaffirmed the state’s commitment to combating drug abuse and trafficking.
Also speaking, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, commended the NDLEA for its efforts, saying the exercise sent a strong message to drug dealers that they were no longer welcome in Nigeria.
Adeniyi noted that the seized drugs originated from operations at the country’s seaports, airports and land borders. He also stressed the connection between drug trafficking and violent criminal groups.
“Bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, insurgents, terrorists, this is their oxygen,” he said, noting that destroying the drugs would weaken the financial base of 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 assured the NDLEA of the Nigerian Navy’s continued support for the country’s drug control efforts.
The NDLEA said it would remain committed to intercepting illicit drugs, dismantling trafficking networks and disrupting the financial structures supporting the illegal drug trade.
