The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed nearly 330 tonnes of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances valued at an estimated N301.06 billion in Lagos.
The destruction exercise was carried out on Monday, August 17, at Navy Town in the Ojo area of Lagos, following orders from the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division.
The drugs were linked to concluded cases that were not contested, as well as abandoned seizures recorded by the agency.
The exercise was attended by senior government and security officials, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin; Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; and Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha.
According to the NDLEA, the Lagos Strategic Command accounted for the largest portion of the destroyed drugs, with 246,864.535 kilogrammes seized between April 2025 and May 2026.
A further 83,001.05 kilogrammes were recovered through operations involving the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Tin Can Island 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 leaves.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said the destruction demonstrated the agency’s determination to disrupt criminal networks involved in the illicit drug trade.
He said the impact of drug trafficking went beyond the circulation of illegal substances, noting that it contributes to addiction, crime, healthcare costs and economic losses.
Marwa also linked proceeds from the illicit drug trade to organised crime, terrorism and violent extremism.
He warned drug barons, traffickers, financiers and dealers that the agency would continue to pursue them. “Wherever you hide, whoever sponsors you and however sophisticated your network may be, the long arm of the law will reach you.”
The NDLEA boss also urged parents, schools, religious and traditional leaders, the media and other stakeholders to play a greater role in preventing drug abuse and trafficking.
Representing Governor Sanwo-Olu, Salu-Hundeyin described the destruction of about 300 tonnes of narcotics and psychotropic substances as a warning about the scale of the drug problem facing Nigeria.
She said the volume of drugs destroyed underscored the threat posed to communities, young people and the country’s future.
