Troops intercept truck carrying illicit drugs along Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road

In a significant counter-narcotics operation, troops from the 65 Battalion of the Nigerian Army intercepted a truck laden with illicit drugs. The interception occurred on July 9, 2026, along the vital Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road, following actionable intelligence from a credible source. The driver of the truck was apprehended during the operation.

This seizure is the latest in a series of sustained efforts by Nigerian authorities to curb drug trafficking nationwide. Recent statistics from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reveal a substantial impact, with over 5.3 million kilograms of illicit drugs, valued at an estimated N1.5 trillion, seized between January 2025 and the first half of 2026. During the same period, 29,262 suspected drug offenders were arrested, and 5,225 were successfully prosecuted and convicted.

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The suspect could not provide satisfactory information regarding the ownership or intended recipient of the drugs.

Preliminary investigations suggest the illicit consignment was destined for the Berger General area in Lagos State. However, the suspect failed to provide adequate details regarding the drugs' ownership or intended recipients. In accordance with standard procedures, the suspect and the seized narcotics were handed over to the NDLEA Lagos State Command for further investigation and legal proceedings.

Major General Adebayo Babalola, the General Officer Commanding the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, commended the troops for their vigilance and professionalism. He urged them to maintain the momentum of operations and intensify efforts to disrupt the activities of drug traffickers and other criminal elements within their area of responsibility.

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He urged them to sustain the tempo of ongoing operations and intensify efforts aimed at denying drug traffickers and other criminal elements any freedom of action within the 81 Division Area of Responsibility.