The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recovered a massive cache of opioids valued at about N16.9 billion from illegal warehouses in Lagos.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement issued on Wednesday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, operatives were said to have seized 2,360,000 pills of tramadol (225mg) and 1,909,400 bottles of codeine syrup.
The operation, carried out on Friday, April 17, 2026, led to the discovery of a major warehouse at 98 Olukayode Awofisayo Street, Park View Estate, Ago Palace, Okota, along with two additional storage facilities at 5 Charles Ndumetu Street in the same area.
According to the agency, the seizures were made across three locations, where 19,094 cartons containing 1,909,400 bottles of codeine syrup were recovered, alongside 34 cartons holding 2,360,000 high-strength tramadol pills.
Reacting to the development, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the operation as a major breakthrough against drug trafficking networks.
“The scale of this recovery, nearly 4.3 million units of lethal substances, is a testament to the fact that our officers are staying several steps ahead of these merchants of death,” he said.
“To find such volumes hidden within residential estates like Park View and busy hubs like Okota shows the desperation of these cartels, but it also highlights the peerless intelligence capabilities of our team.”
Marwa noted that the raid has dealt a significant blow to the pharmaceutical drug black market and led to the dismantling of a major syndicate.
He reaffirmed the agency’s determination to clamp down on illicit drug activities across the country.
“Let this be a clear signal to those who think they can profit from the destruction of our children’s futures: we will find you, we will dismantle your networks, and we will bring the full weight of the law upon you,” he warned.
The NDLEA boss added that no location—whether upscale residential estates or suburban warehouses—would serve as a safe haven for drug traffickers.
