Coordinated Operation Yields Massive Seizure
On May 4, 2025, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced the interception of illicit drugs valued at over N3.4 billion during a joint operation at the Tincan port in Lagos and the Port Harcourt Port Complex in Onne, Rivers State. The haul, comprising 3.5 million pills of tramadol and 350,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup, was uncovered through intelligence-led inspections conducted with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other security agencies, as reported by P.M. News and posts on X.
Details of the Seizure
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi detailed the operation, stating that the drugs were concealed in containers flagged for suspicious content. The tramadol pills, totaling 3,500,000, and the 350,000 bottles of codeine syrup were seized during a 100% joint examination of watch-listed containers on April 29, 2025. The estimated street value of the tramadol was approximately N2.45 billion, while the codeine consignment was valued at N1.05 billion, bringing the total to N3.4 billion. The operation targeted shipments originating from India, a common source for opioid trafficking into Nigeria, according to Babafemi.
Additional Seizures and Arrests
The NDLEA’s efforts extended beyond the ports. In Lagos, operatives arrested a 45-year-old suspect, Chidi Okpara, at Mile 2, Amuwo Odofin, with 760 kilograms of cannabis sativa concealed in a Toyota Camry and a warehouse. In Edo State, raids on cannabis farms in Uzebba, Ovia North East Local Government Area, led to the destruction of 3.47 hectares of cannabis crops and the recovery of 273 kilograms of the substance. Three suspects—Effiong Okon, 45; Monday Effiong, 37; and Bassey Okon, 40—were apprehended in connection with the Edo operation.
In Kano, NDLEA operatives arrested Yahaya Isah, 22, and Salisu Musa, 30, at Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria Road, with 150,000 tramadol pills and 1,250 diazepam tablets. These arrests highlight the agency’s ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking across Nigeria’s major transit routes.
Context of NDLEA’s Crackdown
This seizure is part of a broader NDLEA campaign against opioid trafficking, with recent operations yielding significant results. In November 2024, the agency intercepted two containers at Tincan and Onne ports containing 168,000 bottles of codeine syrup (N1.1 billion) and 4.5 million tramadol pills (N3.2 billion), totaling N4.3 billion. Earlier, in October 2024, NDLEA seized 26.25 million tramadol pills and 508,400 codeine bottles worth N16.7 billion at the same ports. These repeated busts underscore the scale of Nigeria’s opioid trafficking challenge and the NDLEA’s aggressive response.
The agency’s collaboration with the NCS and other security bodies has been pivotal. NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the operatives for their vigilance and emphasized a balanced approach to reducing both drug supply and demand. He also highlighted the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization efforts, which included lectures at schools and communities in Anambra, Adamawa, Lagos, and Kano in the past week.
Public Reaction and Implications
Posts on X reflect public support for the NDLEA’s efforts, with users like @NTANewsNow and @MobilePunch amplifying news of the seizure, framing it as a blow to drug cartels. However, the recurring high-value seizures raise questions about the persistence of trafficking networks, possibly fueled by international syndicates and porous borders. Nigeria’s opioid crisis, particularly involving tramadol and codeine, continues to strain public health and security, with these drugs often abused for their psychoactive effects.
The NDLEA’s latest operation not only disrupts a major supply chain but also sends a strong message to traffickers. As investigations continue to trace the syndicates behind the shipments, the agency’s proactive stance, backed by intelligence and inter-agency cooperation, remains critical in combating Nigeria’s drug trafficking epidemic.
For updates, follow NDLEA’s official statements on ndlea.gov.ng or monitor P.M. News for breaking developments.
