Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered and raided three illicit drug warehouses in the Okota area of Lagos State, seizing opioids valued at over N16.9 billion in a major crackdown on drug trafficking networks.
The intelligence-led operation, carried out on Friday, April 17, 2026, targeted properties located at 98 Olukayode Awofisayo Street and 5 Charles Ndumetu Street within Park View Estate, Ago Palace, Okota. According to NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the warehouses—concealed within a residential neighbourhood—contained large consignments of high-potency tramadol and codeine syrup.
Items recovered during the raid include 2,360,000 pills of tramadol 225mg and 1,909,400 bottles of codeine syrup. The substances were packaged in 34 cartons of tramadol and 19,094 cartons of codeine, bringing the total street value of the seizure to N16,927,200,000.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the operation as a significant breakthrough in the agency’s ongoing war against illicit drugs. He noted that the scale of the seizure represents a major disruption of a powerful drug syndicate operating within the country.
Marwa commended the professionalism and tactical efficiency of the NDLEA operatives, stating that the success of the operation underscores the agency’s growing intelligence capabilities and determination to stay ahead of criminal networks.
“The scale of this recovery, nearly 4.3 million units of dangerous substances, demonstrates that our officers are consistently outpacing these criminal elements,” he said. “The discovery of such quantities in residential estates highlights both the audacity of these traffickers and the effectiveness of our surveillance and intelligence systems.”
He further warned that the agency remained resolute in its mission to dismantle drug cartels, regardless of where they attempt to conceal their operations.
“There is no safe haven for drug traffickers in Nigeria. Whether in upscale neighbourhoods or remote locations, we will continue to track, dismantle, and prosecute those involved in the illicit drug trade,” Marwa added.
The NDLEA reiterated its commitment to intensifying efforts aimed at curbing substance abuse and safeguarding public health and safety across the country.
