The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed 329,865.585 kilogrammes of different illicit drugs and psychotropic substances valued at an estimated N301.06 billion in Lagos.The destruction exercise was performed on Monday at Navy Town, Ojo, after an order from the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division.The consignment includes drugs seized in finished cases that were not contested, as well as abandoned seizures recovered from various operations across Lagos.According to the NDLEA, 246,864.535kg of the destroyed chemicals were confiscated by its Lagos Strategic Command between April 2025 and May 2026.Another 83,001.05kg were collected through operations by the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Tincan and Apapa Strategic Commands, the Marine Command and a Special Operations Unit.
The destroyed substances included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis varieties such as Canadian Loud and skunk, ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup, other opioids and khat leaf.
Speaking at the exercise, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the operation highlighted the agency’s willingness to dismantle criminal networks involved in drug trafficking.Marwa warned drug lords, traffickers, financiers, distributors and dealers that the agency would continue to pursue them regardless of how sophisticated their operations could be.He also asked parents, schools, religious and traditional leaders, the media and members of the public to intensify efforts against drug usage and trafficking.Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, highlighted the enormity of the destruction as a big warning about the threat illicit drugs pose to young Nigerians and communities.
The significance of the operation went beyond the amount of drugs destroyed, according to Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who noted that the seizures were connected to operations at airports, seaports, and other entry sites.He cautioned that the money made from drug trafficking might support the actions of terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, and insurgents.In the midst of several significant seizures in Lagos, the most recent exercise is one of the biggest drug destruction operations the NDLEA has recently conducted.While earlier operations in Lagos discovered multibillion-naira shipments of cannabis, cocaine, and opiates, the agency destroyed 73,463.21 kg of illegal substances worth N2.8 billion in Edo State in June.
