The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), has disclosed that the agency seized more than two billion tramadol pills in the last 18 months through intelligence-led operations conducted in collaboration with international partners.
Marwa made the disclosure on Thursday during a familiarisation visit to the Lekki Deep Sea Port and Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos.
He attributed the massive seizures to improved intelligence gathering and strengthened cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies, particularly those in India and Pakistan.
According to him, the agency’s enhanced surveillance and intelligence capabilities have significantly disrupted attempts by criminal networks to use Nigeria’s seaports for drug trafficking.
Marwa said the NDLEA is working closely with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and other security agencies under existing memoranda of understanding to facilitate intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement operations.
He called for greater collaboration among government agencies, port operators and stakeholders within the Lekki Free Trade Zone, stressing that collective action is essential to curb drug trafficking and protect Nigeria’s economy.
Describing the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Free Trade Zone as critical national assets, the NDLEA chairman said safeguarding the facilities from organised criminal groups requires sustained cooperation, adding that the fight against illicit drugs cannot be left to the agency alone.
Marwa warned that Nigeria continues to face a serious drug abuse challenge, noting that the growing impact of substance abuse on young people demands the commitment of families, communities and relevant institutions.
He reaffirmed the agency’s determination to dismantle networks involved in the cultivation, production, importation, trafficking and distribution of illicit drugs across the country.
The NDLEA boss also referenced the recent discovery of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State, stating that the illegal facility could have produced narcotics valued at about $360 million if it had not been uncovered.
He disclosed that the Federal High Court recently inspected the forest location where the laboratory was discovered as part of the ongoing prosecution of suspects linked to the operation, including foreign nationals allegedly involved in establishing the illegal factory.
Marwa further advised parents to remain vigilant by monitoring their children for signs of substance abuse and to seek professional assistance promptly whenever drug use is suspected.
He said early intervention, including drug testing and rehabilitation where necessary, is critical to preventing addiction and its potentially devastating consequences.
The NDLEA chairman also expressed optimism that the proposed amendment to the NDLEA Act would introduce stiffer penalties for drug traffickers and further strengthen Nigeria’s campaign against illicit narcotics.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Lekki Free Zone, Mrs Adesuwa Ladoja, pledged the zone’s continued partnership with the NDLEA to prevent drug-related crimes and other illegal activities.
Similarly, the Managing Director of Lekki Port, Mr Wang Qiang, reaffirmed the port’s commitment to supporting the agency and other security organisations, noting that China maintains a zero-tolerance policy against illicit drugs.
In his welcome address, the Area Commander of the NDLEA Lekki Deep Sea Port Command, Jonah Achema, described the command as one of the major achievements of Marwa’s leadership, noting that since its establishment in 2022, it has recorded significant seizures of tramadol and other illicit substances, strengthening efforts to secure Nigeria’s newest seaport against drug trafficking.