NDLEA destroys ‘1.6m kg’ illicit drugs seized in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed heaps of illicit drugs weighing about 1.6 million kilograms seized in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states.

The exercise took place on Saturday at Ipara along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Ogun state.

Some of the illicit drugs destroyed include 123 kilograms of cocaine, 46.8 kilograms of heroin, 1.4 million kilograms of cannabis, 148,000 kilograms of codeine syrup, 3,244.26 kilograms of tramadol, 1,544 kilograms of skuchies, and 111 kilograms of methamphetamine, among others.

In a statement, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the destruction of 1.6 million kilograms of illicit drugs is the largest volume of seizures to be set ablaze at a time in the history of the agency.

According to the statement, Ibrahim Abdul, NDLEA director of assets and financial investigation, said the exercise reflects the agency’s commitment towards the war against illicit drugs.

Abdul said the exercise was carried out to show transparency and accountability in the destruction of illicit drugs.

“To those still involved in the illicit drug trade, we will persist in reminding them that times have changed,” he said.

“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains unwavering in its commitment to providing the leadership and political will required to eradicate this menace.

“At the NDLEA, we are fully prepared to pursue our objective of holding accountable those who defy the law. In the past four years, we have successfully prosecuted and convicted 10,572 such offenders, who are now serving various jail terms.

“The rationale is simple: to show transparency and accountability. By making this process open, we affirm our collective resolve against the insidious activities of illicit drug trafficking. This exercise is not merely symbolic—it is forensic, grounded in evidence.

“Random laboratory tests are carried out to confirm the authenticity of the seized items. The substances are destroyed with the approval of the court after the cases linked to them have been brought to closure, following arrests and successful prosecution.”