Nigeria Customs Hands Over Seized Drug Exhibits Worth N2.26bn to NDLEA at Lekki Port

ZAINAB JUNAID 

In line with inter-agency collaboration directives of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over seized container laden with 400 kilograms of suspected Cannabis Sativa to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Lekki Port, for their statutory responsibility to take effect.

This development followed a coordinated joint border security operation, which led to the seizure of the consignment recently.

Addressing journalists at the formal handover ceremony held on Thursday, 15 October 2026, at Lekki Port, the new Acting Customs Area Controller of the Lagos Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Olufemi Kukoyi informed that officers of the command acted on credible intelligence, intercepted the suspicious container with registration number PRSU1562064, which had arrived at Lekki Deep Sea Port and destined for a Bonded Terminal outside the Command.

According to him, the container was scheduled for onward movement through the waterways by barge under the Customs transire procedure.

“However, recognizing the potential security implications and the risks associated with allowing a suspicious consignment to leave the port environment, the Command took the proactive decision to step down the container for further scrutiny.

“In line with established Customs procedures and our intelligence-driven enforcement strategy, the container was subjected to non-intrusive inspection through scanning. The scanning report revealed anomalies that necessitated a comprehensive physical examination.

“Consequently, a joint examination was conducted at Lekki Freeport Terminal by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Services (DSS), and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

“During the examination, seven pallets of packaged goods were discovered. Upon opening and thoroughly examining the pallets, officers uncovered substances suspected to be illicit narcotics, ingeniously concealed among reams of A4 printing paper in an apparent attempt to evade Customs detection,” he revealed.

Speaking further, the Acting Area Controller explained that the comprehensive examination revealed Four hundred (400) packages of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, commonly referred to as “Loud,” with a total weight of 400 kilograms, Seven hundred and ninety-eight (798) reams of A4 printing paper, strategically deployed as concealment materials to disguise the illicit consignment.

He gave an estimated Duty Paid Value of N2,262,960,000.00 for the seizure.

 

Kukoyi described the seizure as a significant victory for public safety, national security and collective determination of the sister security agencies to protect Nigerian society from the devastating consequences of drug trafficking and abuse.

He underscored the destructive impact of illicit drugs on the communities, particularly among young people, noting that beyond their devastating health implications, illicit drugs contribute to addiction, organized crime, insecurity, family disintegration and the erosion of the nation’s productive human capital.

To him, the operation demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-led enforcement, modern Customs technology and sustained inter-agency collaboration.

“The successful detection of this consignment before its onward movement from Lekki Port further reinforces the strategic importance of proactive risk management and coordinated border security operations”.

He also commended the vigilance, professionalism and dedication of the Command’s officers, the cooperation of the NDLEA Lekki Port Command and other sister agencies like DSS, NAFDAC and the management of Lekki Freeport Terminal throughout the operation.

“This achievement is a practical demonstration of what can be accomplished when government agencies work together with a common purpose, share intelligence and place national interest above institutional boundaries.

“The handover underscores the unwavering resolve of the NCS to safeguarding the nation’s borders, protect public health and security and ensure that the ports and trade corridors are never exploited as gateways for illicit substances and other prohibited goods”.

Receiving the seized items, the Commander of Narcotics (CN) NDLEA Lekki Port Area Command, Area Commamder Jonah Achema, noted that the event sends a very strong signal that the new CAC is ready to take inter-agency collaboration as well as the counter-narcotic onslaught to the next level.

“It sends the appropriate message to the unscrupulous maritime drug criminals that their operations will only end in the drag net of the Agency.

“The seizure being handed over today, standing at 400 kilograms of Cannabis indica from Thailand is huge by all standards. This is coming after other phenomenal seizures in the Port such as two containers of illicit pharmaceutical opioids (tramadol 225, tramaking royal 250) with a total weight of 46 tonnes and an estimated street value of N35 Billion”.

He assured LFTZ Acting Controller and the entire Sister Agencies that the NDLEA will remain consistent and continue to do everything to sustain the hard earned collaboration that has brought the streak of successes of the Command.