• Cocaine, heroin, cannabis, meth, others go up in flames in Ogun
• 10,572 convictions secured in four years

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the weekend carried out the destruction of 1.6 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs in what has been described as the largest single volume of narcotics ever destroyed in one exercise in the history of the agency.

The drugs, comprising 123 kilogrammes of cocaine, 46.8 kilogrammes of heroin, 1.4 million kilogrammes of cannabis, 148,000 kilogrammes of codeine syrup, 3,244.26 kilogrammes of tramadol, 1,544 kilogrammes of skuchies, and 111 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, among others, were destroyed at a remote location in Ipara, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.

Sunday Hope gathered that the narcotics were seized from NDLEA’s Zone 9 and Zone 11 formations, including the Lagos Strategic Command, Ogun and Oyo Commands, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, and other border commands.

Spokesman of the agency, Mr. Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

Babafemi noted that the landmark destruction underscores the agency’s renewed vigour in the ongoing war against drug trafficking and abuse.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd), represented by the Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, said the destruction exercise was both symbolic and scientific, having followed thorough forensic verification and obtained requisite court orders.

Marwa said: “This massive volume of seizures serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by illicit drugs to public health and national security. We are sending a clear message, there is no room for drug traffickers in Nigeria. The Tinubu administration remains resolute in its commitment to wipe out this menace, and NDLEA will not relent in bringing offenders to justice.”

He further revealed that the agency, within the past four years, had secured a total of 10,572 convictions related to drug trafficking, made possible through enhanced operational strategies and the support of the Nigerian judiciary.

The NDLEA boss also expressed appreciation to the governors of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states—Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and Engr. Seyi Makinde, respectively—for their unwavering support to the agency’s operations in their states.

He also acknowledged the vital support from international collaborators, including the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US DEA), the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency and Border Force, as well as the French and German police.

Also commended were Nigerian financial institutions like First Bank, Fidelity Bank, and Sterling Bank, for their roles in supporting the agency’s financial investigation efforts.

Marwa equally praised Nigeria’s military and paramilitary forces for their support in drug control efforts across the country.

In his remarks, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Security, AIG Olusola Subair (retd), lauded the NDLEA for its professionalism and doggedness.

He stressed the need for greater emphasis on preventive measures, including education, rehabilitation, and youth empowerment.

“The NDLEA’s courage and consistency in intercepting dangerous substances before they reach our communities is saving lives. The Ogun State Government is proud to stand with the Agency in this vital battle,” he said.