The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has destroyed 329,865.585 kilograms of different illegal drugs valued at about N301.06 billion in Lagos.
The drugs included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, opioids, and other controlled substances. The destruction took place on Monday at Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos, following orders from the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The operation involved drugs that were recovered from completed cases and those that were abandoned.
According to the NDLEA, 246,864.535 kilograms of the drugs were seized by its Lagos Strategic Command between April 2025 and May 2026. The remaining 83,001.05 kilograms were recovered by the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Tin Can, Apapa Strategic Commands, Marine Command, and a Special Operations Unit in Lagos.
The destroyed drugs included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, various types of cannabis, including Canadian Loud and skunk, ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup, and other opioids, as well as khat leaves.
While speaking at the event, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the destruction showed Nigeria’s determination to stop criminal groups from using drugs to fund their activities.
Marwa pointed out that these illegal drugs are dangerous beyond just causing addiction. He stated that drug trafficking can lead to organized crime, terrorism, and violence.
He added that every consignment intercepted by the agency means lives saved and resources protected from drug abuse, crime, and social problems. The NDLEA boss also warned drug barons, traffickers, financiers, distributors, and dealers that the agency would increase its efforts against their operations.
He said, "Wherever you hide, whoever sponsors you and however sophisticated your network may be, the long arm of the law will reach you."
"The agency will remain committed to breaking down criminal groups and their finances. I urge Nigerians, parents, schools, religious and traditional leaders, and the media to back the fight against illegal drugs."
Marwa praised President Bola Tinubu for his support for the agency, as well as the judiciary, Lagos State Government, military, other security agencies, international partners, civil society organizations, traditional institutions, and the public for their cooperation.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the destruction of nearly 300 tonnes of drugs shows how big the threat of illegal substances is to communities and young people.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said this action also highlights the need for teamwork among law enforcement, the judiciary, and the government.
"Lagos State is serious about tackling drug abuse and trafficking. We will continue our efforts in this fight," he said.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, praised the NDLEA for its actions. He said the drugs seized were from ports, airports, and land borders.
Adeniyi warned drug dealers that they are no longer welcome in Nigeria. He added that the money from drug trafficking could support violent groups.
He said, "Bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, insurgents, and terrorists, this is their oxygen. Today's destruction symbolizes two things: drug dealers are losing investments worth billions of naira, and we are denying violent actors the resources they need for their crimes."
Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Chief of Naval Staff, represented by Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, assured the NDLEA of the Navy’s ongoing support for fighting drugs.
The NDLEA said this operation is part of its efforts to disrupt drug trafficking and keep illegal substances away from communities across Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Command of the NDLEA has destroyed two cannabis farms worth 4,628.9 kilograms and arrested 10 suspected drug traffickers in different operations in the state.
This was announced on Monday by the commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who leads the Edo command of the NDLEA. He said the officers acted on reliable information and destroyed the targeted cannabis farm in Ugboku, Igbanke Forest, in the Orhionmwon Local Government Area. They also targeted criminals in Abuja Quarters, Benin City.
Ofoyeju said the operation followed the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa’s order to clear out illegal drug locations nationwide.
“In a new offensive order, the command found and destroyed two cannabis farms covering 1.851591 hectares with a total yield of 4,628.9775 kilograms. One suspect, Agholor Elebojie, a 40-year-old man, was arrested in connection with the first farm, which covered 0.699792 hectares and had an estimated yield of 1,749.26 kilograms.
“The second farm covered 1.151889 hectares and had an estimated yield of 2,879.7225 kilograms. Additionally, two bags of processed cannabis sativa weighing 12.4 kilograms were recovered from the second farm,” Ofoyeju noted.
The commander mentioned that in another operation, officers raided drug hotspots at Oluku in the Ovia North-East Local Government Area and Abuja Quarters in Oredo Local Government Area, Benin City.
This operation led to the arrest of 10 male suspected drug traffickers with different amounts of illegal drugs.
“At Oluku, Kingsley Anigala, a 28-year-old from Aniocha South LGA, Delta State, was caught with 25.857 kilograms of cannabis and 93 grams of methamphetamine on 14th August 2026.
“At Abuja Quarters, nine suspects were arrested on 13th August 2026. They include Usman Adamu, 20, from Nassarawa State, found with 47 grams of Loud and 160 grams of cannabis sativa; Abdullahi Adamu, 25, from Nassarawa State, with 107 grams of Loud, 2.1 grams of Swinol, and 0.1 grams of Danabol; Nasiru Yahaya, 29, from Katsina State, with 226 grams of cannabis sativa; Yunusa Musa, 28; Musa Shehu, 25; Kabiru Salisu, 28; Adamu Zakaria, 26; Andulrasheed Sani, 35; and Peter Hycent, 35, from Nassarawa, Kano, and Benue States, respectively.
“They were arrested with a total of 1.3 kilograms of cannabis sativa, three kilograms of Loud, 301 grams of 100 mg Tramadol, 19 grams of 225 mg Tramadol, 47 grams of Diazepam, five grams of Swinol, eight grams of Danabol, and three grams of methamphetamine.
“All suspects are now in custody, and investigations are ongoing to prepare for their prosecution,” he added.
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