Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a large shipment of illicit drugs in Lagos and Rivers States, with an estimated street value of N6.5 billion.
The agency confirmed that over six million opioid pills and 332,000 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup were recovered during operations at two major seaports—the Apapa Port in Lagos and the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi revealed that the intercepted opioids included Tamol 225mg, Tapentadol 225mg, and Carisoprodol 225mg.
The seizures followed intelligence-led operations and the close monitoring of emerging drug trafficking routes into the country, prompting the agency to place certain shipping containers on a watch list for comprehensive inspection.
According to Babafemi, two containers examined at the Onne Port on May 19 and 20 revealed six million opioid pills and 162,000 bottles of codeine syrup. The discovery was made during a joint inspection conducted by the NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service, and other security personnel.
Similarly, a container flagged for inspection at the Apapa Port on May 22 led to the discovery of an additional 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup, also during a collaborative examination exercise.
Beyond the ports, NDLEA officers in Niger State apprehended a suspect, Adams Ayibakro, on May 22 along the Mokwa-Jebba highway. He was reportedly found transporting 235 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 97 kilograms in a Mercedes Benz vehicle.
In Lagos, more raids were conducted, including one at Osapa London in Lekki, where a suspect, Jonathan Isa, was arrested with various illicit substances. Confiscated items included cocaine, methamphetamine, Molly, Rohypnol, codeine, cannabis, and nitrous oxide.
Another operation in the Idasun area of Eleko, Ibeju-Lekki, on May 24 resulted in the arrest of Olamilekan Idowu and the seizure of 48 kilograms of skunk.
Babafemi also noted that the agency’s public sensitization campaign, the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), continued throughout the week in various parts of the country.
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