NDLEA intercepts 14 containers of illicit drugs at Apapa Port, seizing 132 tonnes of codeine and tramadol in a major bust linked to rising drug abuse

NDLEA seizes illicit drugs in one of its largest maritime operations in recent years, intercepting 14 containers filled with psychotropic substances at Apapa Port.

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The seizure, which spanned from June 2024 to June 2025, was disclosed by Assistant Commander-General of Narcotics, Buba Wakawa, during the grand finale of the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

According to Wakawa, the confiscated drugs include 774,635 bottles of codeine-based syrup and over 36 million tramadol tablets, weighing approximately 132 tonnes in total.

He described the haul as a significant blow to the networks exploiting Nigeria’s maritime routes for drug smuggling.

“This is not just a seizure,” Wakawa said. “It is a statement that we are taking back control of our ports from those who wish to destroy the health of our nation.”

The event, held in Apapa, Lagos, marked a pivotal moment in the NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse campaign, aligning with this year’s global theme, “Evidence Is Clear:

Invest in prevention, break the cycle.” Wakawa emphasised the relevance of this theme to the NDLEA’s broader goals under the leadership of Brigadier General Buba Marwa.

Drawing from the 2018 United Nations Drugs Survey, Wakawa highlighted that over 14 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 had used drugs in the year preceding the survey.

This statistic, he said, underscores the scale of the crisis and the need for coordinated action.

While acknowledging the importance of the maritime sector to Nigeria’s economy, he warned that it must not become a conduit for illegal trade. The NDLEA, he added, remains committed to safeguarding shipping channels from criminal exploitation.

He condemned the recreational misuse of medically approved substances, such as tramadol and codeine syrup, and reiterated that these products were being diverted to fuel addiction and societal decay. The agency, he said, would continue targeting and dismantling the networks behind this scourge.

The event served as a platform to mobilise stakeholders, including school students, government regulators, security agencies, and terminal operators, in a united front against illicit drug trafficking.

Wakawa stressed that no one is shielded from the consequences of drug-related insecurity and that breaking the chain of abuse is a shared responsibility.

“We have one common enemy, the drug dealers and peddlers who are ever ready to break the law for wealth, create the monster of insecurity, and jeopardise the entire health of the nation.

The cycle can be broken and together, we can make it happen,” he said.

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The NDLEA’s continued vigilance at Nigeria’s ports remains a vital line of defence in the national struggle against drug abuse and the criminal enterprises profiting from it.