By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Sunday destroyed 329,865.585 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs and psychotropic substances valued at approximately ₦301.058 billion at the Nigerian Navy Marine Centre, Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos.
The public destruction exercise was conducted by the NDLEA Lagos State Strategic Command on August 17, 2026, with senior representatives of the Nigerian Navy, Lagos State Government, Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders in attendance.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.
According to the statement, the destroyed exhibits comprised 246,864.535 kilogrammes seized by the NDLEA Lagos State Strategic Command between April 2025 and May 2026, as well as 83,001.050 kilogrammes recovered by the MMIA, Tin Can, Apapa Strategic Commands and the NDLEA Marine Command.
The substances included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, various strains of cannabis, ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup and other opioids, with a combined estimated street value of ₦301,058,076,000.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, emphasised the importance of sustained inter-agency cooperation in confronting emerging security threats.
He also commended the longstanding collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and NDLEA in disrupting illicit drug networks and interdicting vessels of interest.
The Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa, Rtd, described the exercise as a demonstration of Nigeria’s collective resolve to permanently remove seized illicit substances from circulation and deny criminal elements the resources required to sustain their activities.
The Nigerian Navy reiterated its commitment to deepening collaboration with NDLEA and other relevant agencies to disrupt illicit drug trafficking networks, strengthen national security and contribute to a safer maritime environment.
