Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) publicly destroyed a staggering 1.6 million kilograms of illicit substances on Saturday, marking the largest drug incineration ever conducted by the agency.
The destruction, which took place in a remote location in Ipara along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Ogun State, involved seizures made across three southwestern states—Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo.
The high-profile event drew government officials, traditional leaders, religious figures, NGO representatives, diplomats, and security agencies.
Among the narcotics reduced to ash were 1.4 million kilograms of cannabis, 148,000 kilograms of codeine syrup, 3,244 kilograms of tramadol, 123 kilograms of cocaine, 46.8 kilograms of heroin, 1,544 kilograms of skuchies—a local cocktail of hard drugs—and 111 kilograms of methamphetamine.
“This massive haul underscores the grave threat these substances pose to public health, right up to the point of their final destruction,” said retired Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa, Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA.
He reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to prosecute all those involved in the drug trade, emphasizing that “the Agency remains fully prepared to bring offenders to justice.”
Marwa also revealed that over 10,572 traffickers have been convicted over the past four years, showcasing the NDLEA’s intensified operations and growing effectiveness in tackling Nigeria’s complex drug crisis.
Speaking on behalf of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Special Security Adviser AIG Olusola Subair applauded the NDLEA’s dedication to safeguarding communities.
He urged stakeholders to invest more in preventive strategies such as education, youth empowerment, and rehabilitation centres.
The operation was supported by key international partners, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), and law enforcement bodies from France and Germany.
Their collaboration reflects a growing international consensus that the fight against narcotics must be global, coordinated, and relentless.
