Troops of the Nigeria military’s 65 Battalion have intercepted a truck conveying a large consignment of illicit drugs along the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road, leading to the arrest of the driver and the recovery of the suspected narcotics.
The operation, carried out on July 9, 2026, followed actionable intelligence from a credible source, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya.
The statement said the intelligence-led operation resulted in the successful interception of the vehicle, while preliminary investigations revealed that the illicit consignment was being transported to the Berger area of Lagos State.
However, the arrested driver was unable to provide satisfactory information regarding the ownership of the drugs or the identity of the intended recipient.
In accordance with established procedures, the suspect and the recovered illicit drugs were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command, for further investigation and possible prosecution. The handover was conducted by the Commanding Officer of 65 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel S. Adeojo.
Commending the troops for the successful operation, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola, praised their vigilance, professionalism and operational effectiveness.
He urged the troops to sustain the momentum of ongoing operations and intensify efforts to deny drug traffickers and other criminal elements freedom of action within the 81 Division’s Area of Responsibility.
The interception underscored the continued collaboration between the Nigeria military and the NDLEA in combating illicit drug trafficking and other forms of organised crime across the country.
