Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
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 ₦301.058 billion in Lagos, in what authorities described as a major blow to drug trafficking networks.
The public destruction exercise, conducted by the NDLEA Lagos State Strategic Command on Monday, 17 August 2026, at the Nigerian Navy Marine Centre, Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos, brought together senior officials of the Nigerian Navy, NDLEA, Lagos State Government, Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders.
The destroyed exhibits comprised 246,864.535 kilogrammes of illicit substances seized by the NDLEA Lagos State Strategic Command between April 2025 and May 2026, alongside 83,001.050 kilogrammes recovered by the MMIA, Tin Can, Apapa Strategic Commands and the NDLEA Marine Command.
The substances destroyed 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.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, stressed the importance of sustained inter-agency cooperation in tackling emerging security threats.
Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha also commended the longstanding partnership between the Nigerian Navy and NDLEA, particularly their joint efforts 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 determination to permanently remove seized illicit substances from circulation and deny criminal elements the resources needed to sustain their activities.
He said the destruction of the seized drugs underscored the importance of ensuring that substances intercepted by law enforcement agencies do not find their way back into circulation.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with the NDLEA and other relevant agencies to disrupt illicit drug trafficking networks, strengthen national security and contribute to a safer and more secure maritime environment.
The exercise further highlighted the growing role of inter-agency cooperation in addressing drug trafficking and other criminal activities with implications for Nigeria’s maritime and national security.
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