The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized 14 containers of illicit substances in the past year, breaking the distribution cycle of illicit drugs.
According to the Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, Buba Wakawa, notable among the seized drugs were 744,635 bottles of codeine-based syrups and 36,652,460 tablets of Tramadol with a gross weight of 131,920.7 kg.
Wakawa made this known during the joint grand finale of the Apapa and Tin-Can Strategic Seaport Commands of NDLEA, held to commemorate the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The theme of the event was “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention. Break the Cycle.”
The NDLEA commander emphasised the need to secure the maritime sector from unscrupulous elements taking control and turning it into a safe haven for illicit drug business.
He noted that psychotropic substances of abuse, such as Tramadol and cough syrups with codeine, were being used as recreational drugs without medical reason.
Wakawa cited a 2018 UN Drugs Survey that estimated 14.3 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 had used drugs in the preceding years.
He called for collaborative efforts to break the cycle of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
In his remarks, Dr. Omotayo Ajirotutu, Medical Psychologist, Federal Psychiatrist Yaba, highlighted the high cost of treating patients affected by drug abuse, ranging from N800,000 to N1.5 million per month.
He urged parents to be observant and monitor their children’s activities to prevent drug abuse.
The Tin Can Island Strategic Port Commander, Callys Alumona, said his command had mopped up over 30 tonnes of illicit drugs, including Tramadol and cocaine, between June 2024 and date.
He emphasised the importance of intelligence gathering and collaboration with international agencies to combat drug trafficking.
