The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has publicly destroyed 329,865.58 kilogrammes of illicit drugs with an estimated street value of N301.05 billion in a court ordered exercise in Lagos.
The narcotics intercepted by various Lagos commands between April 2025 and May 2026, included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, tramadol, and codeine syrup, statement by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi said.
The exercise, held at Navy Town in the Ojo area on Monday, disposed of exhibits from uncontested concluded cases and abandoned seizures.
Speaking at the event, the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (rtd), described the destruction as a bold demonstration of Nigeria’s resolve to deny criminal enterprises the resources they need to thrive.
He linked drug trafficking to broader security challenges, noting that it funds organised crime and terrorism globally. Issuing a stern warning to drug barons and financiers, Marwa declared that their days of operating with impunity are over.
He warned that “Wherever you hide, whoever sponsors you and however sophisticated your network may be, the long arm of the law will reach you.”
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, noted that the massive scale of the destroyed narcotics is a sobering reminder of the threat illicit drugs pose to communities.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the governor assured that “Lagos State is unwavering in its resolve to confront drug abuse and trafficking, and we will not relent in our efforts to do this.”
In his goodwill message, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, stated that the destruction sends a strong message to drug dealers that they are no longer welcome in Nigeria.
“Bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, insurgents, terrorists, this is their oxygen.
“Drug dealers are going to be losing investments worth billions of naira and we are going to be denying non-state violent actors the necessary oxygen that they need for their heinous crimes,” Adeniyi said.
