By Amanabo Ocholi, Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its fight against drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria, with the Tin Can Island Port Command confiscating over 405 kilogrammes of illegal substances within the past year.
This disclosure was made by Commander of Narcotics, Mitchell Ofoyeju, during a courtesy visit by maritime journalists to the Tin Can Island Strategic Command in Lagos.
Commander Ofoyeju emphasized that drug abuse is no longer just a crime issue but a critical global public health crisis that demands urgent and sustained intervention from all stakeholders.
“Through a combination of advanced technology and trained sniffer dogs, the Command successfully intercepted large quantities of illicit substances,” he stated.
The breakdown of the seizures includes:
-
36.19kg of Cannabis Indica
-
13.75kg of Tramadol
-
57.12kg of Cocaine
According to the NDLEA, the street value of these confiscated drugs is estimated at over ₦134 billion.
Leadership, Reforms, and Modern Policing
Commander Ofoyeju lauded the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), for leading a transformative era since 2021. Under his leadership, the agency has prioritized intelligence-led operations, invested in personnel training, improved funding, and strengthened international collaborations.
These efforts, he noted, have not only increased the success rate of drug interceptions but also improved the agency’s global image.
Tackling Demand through Awareness and Education
Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA is also focusing on reducing the demand for narcotics. The Command is rolling out community engagement initiatives and awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians about the physical, mental, and societal dangers of drug addiction.
Commander Ofoyeju reiterated the agency’s readiness to collaborate with media professionals to amplify sensitization campaigns and further expose the destructive impact of drug abuse on Nigerian society.
