In another celebrated milestone for Nigeria’s war on illicit substances, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured a major victory in its ongoing offensive against drug cartels. This follows an interim forfeiture order granted by the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, for 17 containers laden with illicit opioids valued at a staggering N33.6 billion.
A Tuesday, April 21 statement from NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi detailed a massive interception at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex. Across twelve dates in 2025, the agency seized 17 containers holding a colossal 19.6 million opioid pills and nearly 2.5 million bottles of Codeine Syrup—a decisive blow to international drug trafficking.
According to agency estimates, the combined street value of the intercepted opioids totals a record N33,691,200,000
The NDLEA secured the forfeiture through Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt. This followed an ex parte motion filed in February 2026 under suit number FHC/PH/MISC/25/2026.
In his ruling on the application, Justice Adamu ordered that: “An order is hereby made forfeiting in the interim to the Federal Government of Nigeria seventeen (17) shipping containers containing a total of three hundred and sixty-five thousand, six hundred and seventy-five (365,657kg) of various types of psychotropic substances illegally imported into Nigeria through the Onne Sea Port, Onne, Eleme, Rivers State by unknown persons.
Solidifying the agency’s control over the seizure, Justice Adamu further ruled: “An order is hereby made vesting custody and possession of the said containers and their respective contents to the Applicant/Complainant until the final determination of this Suit.”
Following the court’s decision, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd) characterized the forfeiture as a decisive strike, serving as a death knell for the financial networks of the involved syndicates.
In his words; ”This is not just a seizure, it is a total dispossession of the resources the drug cartels intended to use in destroying the lives of our youths and funding further criminality. By stripping the criminal syndicates of assets worth over N33.6 billion, we have struck at the heart of their operations. This sends a clear message: the Nigerian state will not allow the proceeds of death to circulate to fund terrorism and other forms of in our country.”
Commending the Nigerian Judiciary for its steadfast support and timely intervention, Marwa emphasized that the synergy between the temple of justice and the Agency remains critical to winning the war against substance abuse and illicit trafficking.
He further lauded the officers and men of the NDLEA—particularly the Onne Port Command—for the vigilance, integrity, and eagle-eyed scrutiny that led to the discovery of the concealed illicit consignments.
He further credited the success to the robust partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and port stakeholders, praising the collaborative effort that made this massive seizure possible.
The Chairman credited the agency’s success to robust international intelligence and support. He noted that the NDLEA remains unwavering in its drive to dismantle criminal networks throughout Nigeria.
