NDLEA Destroys N301bn Worth Of Cocaine, Heroin, Opioids, Others

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has destroyed 329,865.585 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs with an estimated street value of N301,058,076,000 only in a court-ordered exercise carried out in Lagos.

Of the total consignment, 246,864.535 kilograms were seized by the Lagos Strategic Command of the Agency between April 2025 and May 2026, while 83,001.05 kilograms came from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Tincan and Apapa Strategic Commands, as well as the Marine Command and a Special Operations Unit, all operating within Lagos.

The destroyed illicit drugs comprised mainly cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis of different strains including Canadian Loud and skunk, ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup and other opioids, as well as khat leaf.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said the exercise, conducted pursuant to orders of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, disposed of uncontested concluded cases and abandoned seizures.

Speaking at the event held at Navy Town in Ojo area of Lagos on Monday 17th August 2026, the chairman/chief executive officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) described the exercise as a bold demonstration of Nigeria’s resolve to protect its people and deny criminal enterprises the resources they need to thrive.

He noted that behind every kilogram of narcotics destroyed lies a story of a young life at risk, a family torn apart by addiction, and communities endangered by drug-related crime and impaired driving.

Marwa said the destroyed consignment represented more than the elimination of contraband, stressing that illicit drugs weaken the labour force, raise healthcare costs, discourage investment and drain public resources that should go into education, healthcare and infrastructure.

He added that every consignment intercepted by the Agency saves the country billions of naira in potential losses linked to addiction, crime and social dislocation.

The NDLEA boss also linked the trade in illicit drugs to Nigeria’s broader security challenges, noting that drug trafficking helps fund organised crime, terrorism and violent extremism globally, and that by seizing and destroying such substances, the agency is strengthening the country’s national security architecture.

Marwa paid tribute to NDLEA personnel across the country, particularly those serving in Lagos while acknowledging the risks and sacrifices they make in the course of their duty.

Issuing a stern warning to drug barons, traffickers, financiers, distributors and dealers, the NDLEA chairman declared that their days of operating with impunity are over. “Wherever you hide, whoever sponsors you and however sophisticated your network may be, the long arm of the law will reach you,” he said, vowing that the agency remains resolute, relentless and uncompromising in pursuing and dismantling every criminal network and its financial spine.