The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) recently seized a large quantity of illicit drugs across nine Nigerian states, reflecting a series of coordinated operations aimed at combating drug trafficking and abuse. The agency made several significant busts throughout October and early November 2024, intercepting both domestic and international drug shipments.
Among the key seizures, NDLEA officers intercepted 13 million pills of opioids and over 338,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup, worth approximately N9 billion, at the Port Harcourt seaports in Rivers State. These shipments reportedly came from India, and officials conducted joint examinations with Nigerian Customs to secure the bust. Additional high-value seizures took place at Lagos’s Tincan and Apapa ports, including a container holding 100 parcels of cannabis strain “Loud” from Canada and nearly 754,000 pills of tapentadol, a potent opioid, which was concealed in various goods.
In other regions, NDLEA officers conducted notable arrests and drug seizures. For instance, they detained a suspect in Abuja with over 147,000 tramadol pills hidden within plumbing materials, while other arrests in Edo and Kaduna led to the confiscation of large quantities of cannabis and other narcotics. In Lagos, a Canadian national was apprehended with 35.2 kilograms of cannabis hidden in luggage, and further operations led to the destruction of a cannabis farm spanning three hectares on the boundary between Edo and Ondo.
These successful interdictions underscore the NDLEA’s ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking, as the agency continues to work closely with customs, law enforcement, and international partners to disrupt drug networks across Nigeria. NDLEA officials have also emphasized community outreach, targeting youth and local communities with anti-drug campaigns to combat substance abuse nationwide.
In addition to seizing drugs, NDLEA has intensified its nationwide “War Against Drug Abuse” (WADA) campaign, focusing on preventive education in schools, religious centers, and local communities. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the dangers of drug use, particularly among youth, who are increasingly vulnerable to addiction and substance misuse.
Recent outreach events included sessions at schools across Adamawa, Niger, Oyo, and Ebonyi, where students were educated on the health risks of drug use and encouraged to make informed decisions. NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), commended the efforts of agency staff across the country and urged community members to support these preventive measures by reporting suspicious drug-related activities.
