The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed 329,865.585 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs valued at N301.058 billion in a court-ordered exercise conducted in Lagos.
The destruction, carried out on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Navy Town, Ojo, followed orders of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, covering uncontested concluded cases and abandoned drug seizures. The drugs were recovered by various NDLEA commands operating in Lagos between April 2025 and May 2026.
The destroyed consignments included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis strains including Canadian Loud and skunk, ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup, other opioids and khat leaf. Of the total quantity, 246,864.535kg was seized by the Lagos Strategic Command, while 83,001.05kg was recovered by the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Tincan and Apapa Strategic Commands, Marine Command and a Special Operations Unit.
Speaking at the exercise, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the destruction demonstrated Nigeria’s determination to protect its citizens and deprive criminal enterprises of the resources required to operate.
Marwa said illicit drug trafficking fuels organised crime, terrorism and violent extremism, while drug abuse also weakens the workforce, increases healthcare costs and drains public resources. He warned drug barons, traffickers, financiers and dealers that the agency would continue to pursue and dismantle their networks and financial structures.
“Wherever you hide, whoever sponsors you and however sophisticated your network may be, the long arm of the law will reach you,” Marwa declared.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the judiciary, Lagos State Government, military, sister security agencies, international partners and other stakeholders for supporting the NDLEA’s anti-drug campaign.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described the destruction of nearly 330 tonnes of narcotics as a sobering reminder of the scale of the drug threat, while assuring that Lagos would remain committed to combating drug abuse and trafficking.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, also commended the NDLEA, stressing that the seizures demonstrated the effectiveness of collaboration across Nigeria’s airports, seaports and land borders.
Adeniyi noted that illicit drugs provide “oxygen” for bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, insurgents and terrorists, adding that destroying the consignments would deprive violent non-state actors of billions of naira in illicit investments.
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 to the NDLEA’s efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking in the country.
