Navy, NDLEA Destroy N301bn Worth of Illicit Drugs in Lagos

The Nigerian Navy and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have destroyed 329,865.585 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs and psychotropic substances valued at approximately N301.058 billion in Lagos.

The public destruction exercise was conducted on August 17, 2026, by the NDLEA Lagos State Strategic Command at the Nigerian Navy Marine Centre, Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos.

The exercise brought together senior representatives of the Nigerian Navy, NDLEA, Lagos State Government, Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant stakeholders, underscoring the growing collaboration among security agencies in the fight against drug trafficking.

According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, 246,864.535 kilogrammes of the destroyed substances were seized by the NDLEA Lagos State Strategic Command between April 2025 and May 2026.

Another 83,001.050 kilogrammes were recovered by the NDLEA commands at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Tin Can, Apapa and the NDLEA Marine Command.

The substances destroyed included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, various strains of cannabis, ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup and other opioids.

The combined estimated street value of the illicit substances was put at N301,058,076,000.

Speaking at the exercise, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, who delivered a goodwill message on behalf of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, stressed the need for sustained inter-agency cooperation to tackle emerging security threats.

He commended the longstanding partnership between the Nigerian Navy and NDLEA, particularly in disrupting illicit drug networks and interdicting vessels suspected of involvement in criminal activities.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), described the destruction as a demonstration of Nigeria’s collective determination to permanently remove seized illicit substances from circulation.

Marwa said the exercise would also deny criminal networks the resources needed to finance and sustain their activities.

The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the NDLEA and other relevant agencies to disrupt drug trafficking networks, enhance national security and promote a safer maritime environment.