NDLEA, Customs, Navy, Destroy 329,000kg of Illegal Drugs Worth N301b in Lagos

By Aminat Damilola, Assistant Editor

Heads of Security agencies in Lagos yesterday destroyed illegal drugs and harmful substances worth N301,058,076,000 only.

During the exercise, over 329,000 kilograms of illegal drugs were burned and destroyed at a Lagos naval base.

The Chairman, The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), led the event. He was joined by the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, and a senior Navy commander, Abubakar Mustapha.

Addressing reporters, Marwa said the action followed an order from the Lagos Federal High Court.

Marwa explained that the drugs were seized by the NDLEA and other security agencies in Lagos.

He said the drugs came from old cases that are finished or from illegal shipments left behind by unscrupulous smugglers.

According to him: “Today is not merely an exercise in destroying narcotics. It is a bold demonstration of Nigeria’s unwavering resolve to protect her people, defend her future, and deny criminal enterprises the oxygen that they need to thrive.

‘‘Pursuant to the order of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, we are publicly destroying a total of 329,865.585 kilograms of assorted narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, representing uncontested, concluded cases and abandoned seizures of illicit drugs permanently removed from circulation.”

The NDLEA, Marwa said, “seized a massive pile of illegal drugs in Lagos. Between April 2025 and May 2026, the Lagos Strategic Command collected 246,864 kilograms. Another 83,001 kilograms came from other local commands, including the airports, seaports, and marine units

‘’The substances being consigned to the flames today comprise mainly cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis of different strains (especially Canadian Loud and Skunk), ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup, and other opioids, as well as khat leaves.

‘These, he said, ” are substances with an estimated street value that stands at a staggering N301,058,076,000 only.

‘‘That is over N301 billion that will never find its way into the pockets of drug barons or into the ruin of a single Nigerian home. NigerianBusiness Directory

‘’For us at the NDLEA, behind every kilogramme of these drugs lies a tragic story: a young person whose future may have been destroyed, a family torn apart by addiction, communities terrorised by drug-induced crimes, and road crashes caused by impaired drivers,” he said.

He said that the fight against illicit drugs was not merely a law enforcement responsibility but a battle for the health, security and future of the country.

The former Army chief added that illicit drugs also posed an economic threat by reducing productivity, weakening the labour force, increasing healthcare costs, discouraging investment and draining public resources.

“Every consignment intercepted by the NDLEA saves Nigeria billions of naira in potential economic losses arising from addiction, crime and social dislocation,” he said.

The NDLEA chairman also linked drug trafficking to insecurity, saying proceeds from the illicit trade fuel organised crime, terrorism and violent extremism.

According to him, the agency’s efforts to intercept and destroy illicit drugs goes beyond enforcement of drug laws to strengthening the country’s national security architecture.

“Across the world, proceeds from illicit drug trafficking have become a major source of funding for transnational criminal networks.

‘’By intercepting and destroying these substances, the NDLEA is not only enforcing drug laws; we are strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture and protecting our sovereignty.

‘’These remarkable achievements would not have been possible without the steadfast support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration continues to provide the strategic direction and institutional backing necessary for the Agency to fulfill its constitutional mandate.

‘’We also acknowledge the invaluable partnership of the governor of Lagos State and the Lagos State government. ‘’We appreciate that even when today is a council day, the governor was able to release the Secretary to the State Government to participate and represent him in this function. Permit me to also recognize the sterling leadership qualities exhibited by the governor in the administration of Lagos State. This is definitely a very complex job, and we appreciate him”, he said.

He also said the agency would soon receive additional arms and ammunition, operational vehicles and other tools to strengthen its operations.

The NDLEA boss warned drug barons, traffickers, financiers, distributors and dealers that the agency would continue to pursue them.

He said: “Permit me to send a clear and unmistakable message. This one is to the merchants of death: to every drug baron, trafficker, financier, distributor, and dealer who continues to poison our communities. I want you to hear this loud and clear from me: your days of operating with impunity are over. It is no longer business as usual.

“Wherever you hide, whoever sponsors you, and however sophisticated you think your network may be, the long arm of the ‘’NDLEA will reach you. This is because the NDLEA remains resolute, relentless, and uncompromising. Our officers, men, and women will continue to pursue you lawfully, professionally, and relentlessly until every criminal network is dismantled and every offender is brought to justice. That, I promise you.

‘’We will not surrender our streets, we will not surrender our schools, we will not surrender our communities, and we will never surrender the future of Nigerian youths to criminal enterprises”.

He urged Nigerians to support the fight against illicit drugs, calling on parents to remain vigilant, schools to intensify drug education, religious and traditional leaders to shape positive values, and communities to report suspicious activities.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin described the destruction of the exhibits as a reminder of the scale of the threat posed by illicit drugs to communities and young people.

He commended the NDLEA, Nigerian Navy, judiciary and other security institutions for their collaboration in intercepting the drugs before they reached the streets.

Sanwo-Olu pointed out that Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre and one of Africa’s most densely populated urban centres, had a special responsibility to lead the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

He added that the state was strengthening public enlightenment, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and support for people affected by substance abuse while working with the NDLEA and other security agencies to disrupt drug supply chains and dismantle criminal networks.

“The fight against illicit drugs cannot be won by law enforcement agencies alone. It demands a sustained, whole-of-society response—one that is undeterred and uncompromising in enforcement, compassionate in rehabilitation, and relentless and resilient in prevention and public education.

‘’Our greatest responsibility as a state is to protect our young people not only from the drugs themselves, but from the despair, vulnerability, and criminality that surround drug abuse. We must therefore give our youth knowledge, hope, opportunity, and the confidence and audacity to choose a better path because, ultimately, this fight is not only about destroying drugs; it is about preserving lives, protecting families, and securing the future of our society. And that is a responsibility we must all own.’’

In his address, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, said the destruction of the illicit drugs was a strong message to drug dealers and violent non-state actors that their activities would no longer be tolerated in Nigeria.

Adeniyi said destroying the drugs hurts illegal sellers by taking away their money, and stops violent groups from getting the funds they need to commit crimes

The Customs boss stressed the need for sustained collaboration among security and law enforcement agencies, including the NDLEA, Customs, Navy, Army, Police and judiciary, to disrupt the supply of illicit drugs.

The CGC praised the teamwork between the Nigeria Customs Service and the drug agency (NDLEA).

He said a recent agreement has helped them share information better, work together on operations, and solve cases faster.

Adeniyi disclosed that the Customs Service had earlier handed over two 40-foot containers containing cookies and other illicit substances seized at the Tin Can Island Port to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.

He concluded that teamwork and careful police work will put criminals in jail and destroy captured drugs so they cannot be sold again

On his part, the Commander, NDLEA Lagos State Strategic Command, ACGN Abubakar Liman Wali, said the exercise demonstrated the agency’s resolve to ensure that seized drugs were permanently removed from circulation.

Wali said Lagos, as a major gateway into Nigeria, continued to record significant drug seizures, adding that the destruction of the exhibits sent a clear message that the state remained hostile territory for drug trafficking.

He lauded the judiciary, Lagos State Government, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, NAFDAC, international partners, Nigerian Navy and Nigeria Customs Service for their support and collaboration.

Wali urged young people and members of the public to reject illicit drugs and embrace productive and healthy lifestyles.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas represented by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha stressed the need for inter-agency collaboration in tackling drug trafficking.

He added that Navy–NDLEA cooperation has led to vessel interceptions and seizures, while commending Customs for improved tech-driven port surveillance that blocks illicit consignments.

Vice Admiral Idi Abbas praised the NDLEA for publicly destroying seized illegal drugs. This shows they are truly dedicated to stopping drug crime. He noted that a drug-free country helps the economy grow and people work better. He also mentioned that under the leadership of Chairman Buba Marwa, the agency now keeps drugs safer and destroys them securely so they never leak back onto the streets.