Two billion tramadol pills seized in 18 months – NDLEA

Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted more than two billion pills of tramadol within the last 18 months, highlighting the scale of the drug challenge facing the country. NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) announced the staggering seizure figures during a visit to the Lekki Free Trade Zone and Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos.

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Within the last 18 months, we have seized more than two billion pills of tramadol through coordinated operations and intelligence sharing with our international partners, especially in India and Pakistan.

Marwa attributed the success to coordinated operations and crucial intelligence sharing with international partners, especially authorities in India and Pakistan. He issued a stern warning to drug traffickers, emphasizing that the agency has significantly bolstered its surveillance and intelligence capabilities to prevent the use of Nigerian ports for illicit drug transit. The NDLEA is actively collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, and other security agencies through existing Memoranda of Understanding to ensure seamless intelligence sharing and case transfers.

Underscoring the strategic importance of the Lekki Deep Sea Port and Free Trade Zone as national assets, Marwa called for collective effort from government agencies, port operators, and stakeholders to protect these facilities from criminal networks. He stressed that the fight against drug abuse and trafficking is a societal responsibility, not solely the NDLEA's burden. Parents were urged to monitor their children for signs of substance abuse and seek immediate intervention, including drug testing, as early intervention is critical.

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The fight against drug abuse and trafficking cannot be left to the NDLEA alone. Nigeria is facing a very serious drug challenge. We are all parents, and we see what drug abuse is doing to our youths.

Recent operations have included the discovery of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun State, which, if unchecked, could have produced illicit drugs valued at approximately $360 million. The NDLEA chairman noted that the Federal High Court has visited the site as part of the ongoing trial of suspects, including foreign nationals, who are expected to face the full force of the law.

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If there is any suspicion that a family member is using drugs, it is important to conduct a drug test and seek help immediately. Early intervention is