The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed 329,865.585 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs valued at an estimated ₦301.058 billion during a court-ordered exercise held at Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos.
The destruction took place on Monday following orders from the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, and involved illicit drugs recovered from concluded uncontested cases and abandoned seizures.
The exercise brought a major law enforcement operation to Navy Town in the Ojo area of Amuwo-Odofin, where the seized substances were destroyed.
According to the NDLEA, 246,864.535kg of the drugs were seized by its Lagos Strategic Command between April 2025 and May 2026.
Another 83,001.05kg were recovered by the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Tin Can and Apapa Strategic Commands, Marine Command and a Special Operations Unit operating across Lagos.
The substances destroyed included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, different varieties of cannabis, including Canadian Loud and skunk, ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup, other opioids and khat leaves.
Speaking during the exercise, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the destruction as part of efforts to prevent seized narcotics from returning to circulation.
Marwa said the quantity destroyed represented a significant threat to communities if the substances had reached the streets.
He also linked proceeds from illicit drug trafficking to organised crime, terrorism and other security challenges, stressing that disrupting the drug trade also targets the financial resources of criminal networks.
The NDLEA chairman commended the judiciary, Lagos State Government, military, other security agencies and members of the public for supporting the agency’s efforts against illicit drug trafficking.
He also urged parents, schools, religious and traditional leaders and the media to play a greater role in preventing drug abuse and trafficking.
Representing Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Secretary to the State Government Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin said the scale of the destruction was a reminder of the threat posed by illicit drugs to young people and communities.
She said Lagos would continue to support efforts aimed at tackling drug trafficking and abuse across the state.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, also commended the NDLEA, noting that the seizures resulted from operations across airports, seaports and land borders.
He said the destruction represented a setback for drug trafficking networks and the criminal activities allegedly financed through proceeds from the illicit trade.
The Nigerian Navy also reaffirmed its support for the NDLEA’s drug control operations.
Representing the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, assured the agency of the Navy’s continued cooperation.
The court-ordered destruction in Navy Town, Ojo, highlights the scale of illicit drug seizures recorded across Lagos over the period, as security agencies continue efforts to disrupt trafficking networks operating through the state’s airports, seaports and other entry points.