NDLEA destroys 1.6 million kilograms of illicit drugs in largest-ever operation
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed approximately 1.6 million kilograms of assorted illicit substances the largest quantity ever incinerated at once in the agency’s history in a public exercise conducted on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Ipara, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.
The landmark event, described by NDLEA officials as a major step in combating drug trafficking, involved the burning of seized narcotics including 123 kg of cocaine, 46.8 kg of heroin, 1.4 million kg of cannabis, 148,000 kg of codeine syrup, 3,244.26 kg of tramadol, 1,544 kg of skuchies, and 111 kg of methamphetamine.
In a statement released in Abuja by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA said the event was witnessed by government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, NGOs, and international partners to demonstrate transparency and accountability.
NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), represented by Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, described the operation as a “forensic and symbolic” act underscoring the agency’s commitment to ending drug trafficking in Nigeria.
“This exercise affirms our collective resolve against the insidious activities of illicit drug trafficking,” Marwa stated. “We carry out laboratory tests to confirm the substances’ authenticity, and they are destroyed only after court approval following successful prosecutions.”
He emphasized that the seizures were made across multiple commands including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, MMIA, Lagos Seaports, Idiroko, and Seme Border Commands reflecting both the scale of Nigeria’s drug trafficking challenge and the agency’s aggressive enforcement approach.
Marwa also used the occasion to warn drug traffickers that there would be no hiding place in Nigeria under the current administration, revealing that over 10,500 offenders had been convicted in the past four years.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by Special Adviser on Security, AIG Olusola Subair (Rtd), praised the NDLEA for their professionalism and pledged continued support in the fight against drug-related crime. He also called for increased investment in drug prevention, education, youth empowerment, and rehabilitation.
The NDLEA also acknowledged the support of local stakeholders and international partners including the US DEA, UK Border Force, German and French police, and several Nigerian banks and security agencies.
The destruction of the drugs marks a significant milestone in the agency’s fight against drug abuse and trafficking, reinforcing a nationwide message of zero tolerance.
