NDLEA Torches N301BN Drugs in Lagos, Vows To Chrush Cartels …. Drug barons, financiers have nowhere to hide

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed 329,865.585 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs valued at N301.058 billion in Lagos, sending a fresh warning to drug barons, traffickers and their financiers that their criminal networks will be dismantled.

The court-ordered destruction, conducted at Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos, on Monday, involved illicit substances linked to concluded cases and abandoned seizures.

The massive consignment comprised cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis varieties including Canadian Loud and skunk, ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup, other opioids and khat leaves.

Of the total quantity destroyed, 246,864.535kg were seized by the Lagos Strategic Command between April 2025 and May 2026, while 83,001.05kg were 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/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the destruction as a major demonstration of Nigeria’s resolve to protect its citizens and deprive criminal enterprises of their financial resources.

Marwa warned drug barons, traffickers, financiers, distributors and dealers that they could no longer operate with impunity.

“Wherever you hide, whoever sponsors you and however sophisticated your network may be, the long arm of the law will reach you,” he declared.

He vowed that the agency would remain relentless in dismantling drug networks and their financial backbone, stressing that illicit drug trafficking fuels organised crime, terrorism and violent extremism.

According to him, drug abuse also weakens the workforce, increases healthcare costs, discourages investment and drains resources that should be channelled into education, healthcare and infrastructure.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the destruction of nearly 330 tonnes of narcotics as a “sobering reminder” of the enormous threat posed by illicit drugs to young people and communities.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the governor reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to combating drug abuse and trafficking.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, commended the NDLEA, saying the scale of the seizures from seaports, airports and land borders sent a strong message to traffickers that they were no longer welcome in Nigeria.

Adeniyi also noted the link between drug trafficking and violent non-state actors, including bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, insurgents and terrorists.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, represented by the FOC Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, pledged continued naval support for NDLEA operations.

Marwa urged Nigerians, parents, schools, religious and traditional leaders and the media to join the fight, stressing that the war against illicit drugs could not be won by the NDLEA alone.