NDLEA Secures Interim Forfeiture of ₦33.6bn Illicit Opioids
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has obtained an interim forfeiture order from the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, over 17 shipping containers of illicit opioids valued at more than ₦33.6 billion.
In Suit No. FHC/PH/MISC/25/2026, Justice Adamu Mohammed granted the order following an ex parte application by the NDLEA. The consignments, intercepted at the Onne Ports Complex, Rivers State, between April and September 2025, contained millions of pills of Tramadol, Tafrodol, Tapentadol, Carisoprodol, and over 2.4 million bottles of Codeine Syrup.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Mohammed held: “An order is hereby made forfeiting in the interim to the Federal Government of Nigeria seventeen shipping containers containing a total of 365,675 kilograms of psychotropic substances illegally imported into Nigeria through the Onne Sea Port by unknown persons.”
He further directed that custody of the containers be vested in the NDLEA pending final determination of the suit.
Reacting, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.) described the ruling as a decisive strike against drug cartels, noting that the forfeiture strips criminal syndicates of assets intended to fund terrorism and other crimes. He commended the judiciary for its timely intervention, the vigilance of NDLEA officers at Onne Port, and the cooperation of sister agencies including the Nigeria Customs Service.
Marwa also acknowledged the role of international partners in providing intelligence support, reiterating NDLEA’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks nationwide.
