The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has seized more than two billion tramadol pills across Nigeria in the last 18 months as it intensifies efforts to curb the illegal drug trade.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this on Thursday during a familiarisation visit to the Lekki Free Trade Zone and Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos.
According to Marwa, the seizures were made through coordinated operations backed by intelligence shared with international partners, particularly authorities in India and Pakistan.
“Within the last 18 months, we have seized more than two billion pills of tramadol through coordinated operations and intelligence sharing with our international partners, especially in India and Pakistan,” he said.
He warned drug traffickers against using Nigerian ports to move illicit substances, noting that the agency had strengthened its surveillance and intelligence capabilities.
Marwa said the NDLEA works closely with the Nigeria Customs Service, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and other security agencies to improve intelligence sharing and ensure swift action against drug-related crimes.
He called for stronger cooperation among government agencies, port operators and stakeholders at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, stressing that protecting critical national infrastructure from criminal networks requires a united effort.
“The fight against drug abuse and trafficking cannot be left to the NDLEA alone,” he said.
“Nigeria is facing a very serious drug challenge. We are all parents, and we see what drug abuse is doing to our youths. It requires total societal collaboration.”
Marwa said the agency remains committed to disrupting the cultivation, production, importation, trafficking and distribution of illicit drugs nationwide.
He pointed to the recent discovery of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State, saying the facility could have produced illicit drugs worth about $360 million if it had not been uncovered.
He added that the Federal High Court recently visited the forest site where the laboratory was found as part of the ongoing prosecution of the suspects, and insisted that everyone involved, including foreign nationals, should face the full weight of the law.
Marwa also urged parents to watch for signs of substance abuse among their children and seek professional help as early as possible.
“If there is any suspicion that a family member is using drugs, it is important to conduct a drug test and seek help immediately. Early intervention is better than waiting until addiction leads to psychiatric problems or even death,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the proposed amendment to the NDLEA Act would introduce tougher penalties for drug traffickers and further strengthen Nigeria’s fight against narcotics.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Lekki Free Zone, Adesuwa Ladoja, pledged continued collaboration with the NDLEA to keep the zone free of illicit drugs and other criminal activities.
Lekki Port Managing Director, Wang Qiang, also reaffirmed the port’s commitment to supporting the NDLEA and other security agencies, noting that China maintains a zero-tolerance policy against illicit drugs.
The Area Commander of the NDLEA’s Lekki Deep Sea Port Command, Jonah Achema, said the command had recorded major successes since its establishment in 2022, including significant seizures of tramadol and other illicit drugs through Nigeria’s newest seaport.
