Lagos saw the destruction of 329,865.585 kilograms of illegal drugs on Monday, a haul worth N301.06 billion on the street. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency conducted the operation at Navy Town in Ojo after securing a court order from the Federal High Court’s Lagos division.
The seized drugs, tied to closed cases and abandoned shipments, included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and multiple cannabis varieties such as Canadian Loud and skunk. The haul also contained ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup, other opioids, and khat leaf.
Seizures span Lagos commands
Most of the destroyed drugs—246,864.535 kilograms—originated from the NDLEA’s Lagos Strategic Command, collected between April 2025 and May 2026. Another 83,001.05 kilograms were recovered by the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Tincan and Apapa Strategic Commands, the Marine Command, and a Special Operations Unit.
Key officials attended the event, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Secretary to the State Government Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin. The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, also participated, with Abbas represented by Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha.
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Drug trade fuels crime, officials warn
The NDLEA chairman stated the destruction demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks. He noted that drug trafficking drives addiction, crime, and economic losses while enabling organized crime, terrorism, and extremism.
“Wherever you hide, whoever backs you, and however complex your network, the law will find you,” the chairman told traffickers and financiers. He called on parents, schools, religious leaders, and the media to help combat drug abuse.
Sanwo-Olu, speaking through Salu-Hundeyin, said the scale of the destruction highlighted the threat illegal drugs pose to communities and youth. “The amount destroyed today—about 300 tons of narcotics—shows how serious this problem is,” he said.
Adeniyi explained the drugs were seized in operations at seaports, airports, and land borders. He connected drug profits to violent groups like bandits and insurgents, warning dealers their activities would no longer be tolerated in Nigeria.
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Recent seizures in Lagos show the city’s role in the trade. In one week, the agency intercepted cocaine, cannabis, and opioids worth N10 billion at ports and courier hubs. The agency also raided three illicit drug warehouses in Lagos and recovered opioids.
The volume seized in Lagos confirms the city’s importance in the regional drug network. Officials argue enforcement is intensifying, though traffickers may adapt. The street value of these seizures points to the scale of the challenge.
The NDLEA’s campaign continues, with Lagos as its primary focus. The agency shows no signs of slowing its efforts.