By Opeyemi Adelakun
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed 329,865.585 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs and psychotropic substances valued at an estimated N301.06 billion in Lagos.
The destruction exercise was conducted on Monday at Navy Town, Ojo, following an order from the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division.
The consignment comprised drugs seized in concluded 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 substances were seized by its Lagos Strategic Command between April 2025 and May 2026.
Another 83,001.05kg were recovered 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 demonstrated the agency’s determination to dismantle criminal networks involved in drug trafficking.
Marwa warned drug barons, traffickers, financiers, distributors and dealers that the agency would continue to pursue them regardless of how sophisticated their operations might be.
He also urged parents, schools, religious and traditional leaders, the media and members of the public to intensify efforts against drug abuse and trafficking.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described the scale of the destruction as a major warning about the threat illicit drugs pose to young Nigerians and communities.
Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the significance of the operation extended beyond the volume of drugs destroyed, noting that the seizures were linked to operations at airports, seaports and other entry points.
He warned that proceeds from drug trafficking could fuel the activities of bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, insurgents and terrorists.
The latest exercise is one of the largest drug destruction operations recently carried out by the NDLEA and comes amid a series of major seizures in Lagos.
In June, the agency destroyed 73,463.21kg of illicit drugs valued at N2.8 billion in Edo State, while previous operations in Lagos uncovered multi-billion-naira consignments of cannabis, cocaine and opioids.
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